Ayam Cemani is a rare breed of chicken that is completely black, including its organs, muscles, and bones. This chicken originates in Indonesia, where many locals keep the bird as a treasured pet. Cemani, pronounced che-MA-ni in Indonesian and seh-MA-ni by many English speakers, comes from Sanskrit and means "jet black." As a result of a condition called fibromelanosis, Cemani chickens have 10 times as much melanin as most chicken breeds. While the price varies, a high-quality Ayam Cemani can sell for over $6,000, and a single egg can fetch as much as $16. But what makes these chickens so special? And why are they so expensive?
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