“Dishes” / Foods Involving SHIT: A 2025 Critical Review

 

1. Kopi Luwak (Civet Coffee)

   • Probably the most famous “feces‑derived” food product. Kopi luwak is coffee made from coffee cherries that have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. Википедия

   • The digestion process is said to ferment the coffee fruit in the civet’s gut, altering its chemical composition and flavor. Википедия

   • Ethical concerns: civets are often kept in poor conditions on “civet farms,” and animal welfare is a major criticism. Википедия

   • Health / hygiene: the beans are cleaned very thoroughly after collection, so it's not like you're literally eating feces — but the origin definitely raises eyebrows.

2. Elephant Dung Dessert (China, 2025)

   • According to a 2025 report, a high‑end restaurant in Shanghai (Posh China) served a dessert made from sterilized elephant feces. Kursiv Media Kazakhstan

   • The dish is described as “flowers in elephant dung”: the dung is sterilized, then turned into a crunchy “crumb” which is paired with fruit jam, pollen, honey sorbet, and herbs. Kursiv Media Kazakhstan

   • Price: very expensive — the full 15‑course set (including the dung dessert) costs thousands (reported as 3,888 yuan). Kursiv Media Kazakhstan

   • Controversy: many social media users found the dish disgusting. The concept is presented as “eco‑fusion,” but it’s deeply provocative and may be more show than substance. Kursiv Media Kazakhstan

3. Feces-derived Animal Feed / “Superfood” Research

   • There are some research / biotech projects (especially in agritech) that convert animal manure into protein-rich food for animals. nasadki.net

   • For example, bacterial or fungal fermentation of manure can yield single-cell proteins, which might be used in feed. nasadki.net

   • According to some sources, there are even claims (not widely verified) about “superfood” from manure for humans in extreme or experimental contexts. pavel-pashkov.com

   • Important: this is not the same as traditional cuisine — it’s more about waste recycling / biotech than “gourmet food.”

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Analysis & Ethical / Safety Concerns

• Health Risks: Eating anything derived from feces is potentially dangerous because of pathogens. That’s why any real “feces food” has to be extremely well processed (sterilized, cleaned, fermented) to be (relatively) safe.

• Ethics: In the case of Kopi Luwak, animal welfare is a huge issue. For the elephant dung dessert, there's also a moral / symbolic shock factor — is it art, sustainability, or just a gimmick?

• Cultural / Marketing Angle: Some of these “dishes” are more about shock value or “eco-luxury” than about providing real nutrition. The elephant dung dessert, for example, seems like an attention-grabbing luxury item.

• Sustainability: On the positive side, converting animal waste into usable protein or food input (in feed) is a promising sustainability strategy, if done correctly and safely.