Papua New Guinea Arkau

This coffee from Jon Boito's farm in Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. Selectively harvested and traditionally processed with high mucilage retention, it delivers a cup with floral and fruity notes, heavy body, and savoury sweetness, reflecting PNG’s rich heritage and exceptional coffee-growing conditions.

Tasting notes: Orange, Plum, Apple Crumble & Cream

Country: Papua New Guinea

Region: Obura-Wonenara 

Altitude: 1700m - 1750m

Varietal: Arusha, Blue Mountain, Typica

Process: Washed

Roast: Medium light (Agtron 62)

SCA Cupping Score: 82.25

About This Coffee

This exceptional lot is produced by Jon Boito on his 1.5-hectare farm in the Obura-Wonenara district of Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands. Jon's dedication to quality caught the attention of our sourcing team, thanks to his progressive approach to farming and processing.

Harvesting is carried out selectively, guided by Brix readings of 23–24 to ensure cherries are picked at peak ripeness. Pulping is done manually using hand pulpers—a labor-intensive yet rewarding process that reflects Jon's commitment to quality. Jon intentionally retains more mucilage during processing, enhancing the coffee's floral and fruity characteristics. This lot undergoes a 16-hour dry fermentation before being washed and dried on raised beds, ensuring exceptional flavour clarity.

Papua New Guinea is known for producing coffees with heavy body, savoury sweetness, and intricate flavour profiles. While the country was once producing over a million bags annually, recent years have seen production averages drop slightly. Despite this, the Eastern Highlands region remains a hub for high-quality coffee due to its cool climate, which allows for slower cherry maturation. This extended ripening period helps develop the complex flavour compounds that are characteristic of PNG coffees.

The majority of Papua New Guinea’s coffee is grown by smallholder farmers who carefully manage their crops using traditional methods. Coffee from PNG is graded using a unique matrix that evaluates bean size, shape, defect count, and colour, alongside aroma and cup quality.

The Obura-Wonenara district, where this coffee is grown, is not only known for its excellent coffee but also for its cultural richness and diversity as this region is home to several indigenous communities, each with distinct traditions.

Recent development initiatives, such as the 2023 Obura-Wonenara District Development Plan, aim to improve local infrastructure, healthcare, and education. These efforts are expected to enhance both the quality of life for residents and the sustainability of coffee farming in the region.

This coffee showcases Papua New Guinea's remarkable coffee heritage. The cup profile is rich with floral and fruity notes, complemented by a heavy body and savoury sweetness.