Actually, while the Luwak somewhat resembles a weasel, it is not
related at all.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viverridae

to ferrets or weasels, or others of their ilk

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustelidae

Not even the same genus. But it shows that parallel evolution of such
creatures has occurred on several continents.

Take for example the mongoose. It is very similar in physical
appearance and ferocity to Mustilidae, but it is of a completely
different family

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongoose

which is somewhat on the cat side of the evolutionary tree.

Ferrets, polecats, and weasels on the other hand, in the tree of
phylogeny, are far more closely related to dogs than they are to
mongooses or luwaks, or cats.

Even so, Dave Barry (my most favorite crazy newsperson) had something
important to say about Luwak coffee, some years ago.

Read all about it. http://www.davebarry.com/misccol/decaf.htm

Lonny Eachus

[Posted in FML 7556]