Core Viewpoint - Cat poop coffee, known for its high price and unique production method, is considered a luxury item, but its taste is now overshadowed by other coffee varieties like Geisha coffee, which offers better flavor at a lower price [1][3][4]. Price and Quality Discrepancy - The wholesale price of cat poop coffee ranges from $300 to $800 per pound, while branded versions can exceed $1,000, with some reaching $3,000 per pound [1]. - In contrast, Geisha coffee, despite its superior taste, is relatively affordable, costing about 3 RMB per gram, translating to approximately 50 RMB for a cup, significantly cheaper than cat poop coffee [3]. Production and Scarcity - The scarcity of cat poop coffee is due to the limited population and dietary habits of civets, which leads to lower production volumes [4]. - Geisha coffee, being a cultivated variety, can be produced on a larger scale, making it more accessible and affordable [4]. Quality Concerns - The decline in the quality of cat poop coffee is attributed to the shift from wild to farmed civets, which do not select the best coffee cherries, resulting in inferior beans [4][5]. - The original appeal of cat poop coffee stemmed from the natural selection process of wild civets, which is now compromised in commercial production [4][5].