Description
very versatile for all brew methods
An easy drinking washed PNG from the Simbai region in Papua New Guinea — heavy-bodied with notes of plum, green tea, cocoa, and hazelnut.
Papua New Guinea’s mountainous terrain and fertile volcanic soil make it an ideal environment for growing rich, vibrant Arabica coffee. However, these same conditions pose significant transportation challenges. Approximately 85% of PNG’s coffee production comes from remote villages and smallholder farms, many of which can only be reached by foot or light aircraft. As a result, air travel is essential to connect these farmers to the global market.
Simbai Balus Kopi—meaning "Simbai Airplane Coffee"—is sourced from the Simbai region, located just over the Bismarck Range between the Western Highlands and Sepik Provinces. Volcafe PNG, partners with more than 4,000 smallholder farmers across this isolated region, operating from four remote airstrips to provide necessary logistical and agronomic support.
All Simbai coffee is transported by air. To enter the supply chain, farmers must carry their coffee—sometimes after a full day’s journey—to the nearest airstrip, where it is weighed in parchment form, logged, and stored at Volcafe PNG’s facilities. When enough volume is collected, Volcafe PNG coordinates charter flights, typically costing around USD 2,000, to transport the coffee to Mt. Hagen. These charters include freight coordination and staffing support to make the journey possible and efficient.
The farmers in Simbai process their cherries using traditional methods—hand-powered pulpers, fermentation for about 36 hours, washing, and then drying the beans. This careful and personal approach contributes to the unique quality of PNG coffee.
Coffee from Papua New Guinea is known for its balance and mellow complexity. Simbai’s distinct terroir brings out a full-bodied, buttery profile with moderate acidity and layered sweetness. Expect tasting notes of dried fig, green grape, plum, green tea, cocoa powder, and roasted hazelnut. The coffee is heavy-bodied, with a washed process and moisture content of 10.80%. The altitude in Simbai ranges from 1,600 to 1,900 meters, and the varieties grown include Bourbon and Typica.
Out of PNG’s population of nine million, about 2.5 million people—nearly 30%—are involved in the coffee sector. Coffee is the country’s second-largest agricultural export after palm oil, contributing around six percent of PNG’s GDP (US$72 million). Despite its economic impact, coffee production remains a challenging and often undervalued endeavor for many of the country’s smallholder farmers.