Papua New Guinea Simbai Coffee

Origin & Quality
Our Papua New Guinea coffee comes from smallholder farms in the remote Simbai region, accessible only by foot or light aircraft. This coffee known locally as Simbai Balus Kopi (Airplane Coffee) reflects one of the world’s most challenging coffee supply chains. Over 4,000 farmers bring their harvest to airstrips, sometimes traveling a full day from their farms, where Volcafe PNG coordinates charter flights to transport the coffee to Mt. Hagen.

These farmers cultivate traditional Bourbon and Typica varieties at elevations between 1,600-1,900 meters. Despite the logistical challenges, Simbai farmers maintain quality standards through careful hand-processing using traditional methods passed down through generations.

Growing Conditions
Papua New Guinea’s mountainous terrain and fertile volcanic soil create ideal conditions for rich, vibrant Arabica coffee. The Simbai region sits just beyond the Bismarck Range, where elevation, rainfall, and volcanic nutrients combine to produce distinctive specialty coffee. Many smallholders process their cherries at home using hand-powered pulpers, fermenting the beans for approximately 36 hours before washing off the mucilage and setting them out to dry.

The washed process highlights Simbai’s unique terroir while maintaining the clean, balanced profile that PNG coffees are celebrated for. This coffee represents not just exceptional quality, but the determination of remote farming communities to share their harvest with the world one airplane load at a time.

Flavor Profile
In the cup, this PNG coffee delivers a well-balanced, full bodied experience with moderate acidity and a distinctive buttery quality. Expect wonderful sweetness featuring bittersweet chocolate and caramel notes, complemented by dried cherry and subtle green tea flavors. The rich volcanic terroir of Simbai creates a mellow, approachable cup with layers of complexity that unfold as it cools.

This coffee embodies what makes Papua New Guinea special: remote origin, challenging logistics, and farmers who refuse to let geography limit their connection to the global coffee community.

Our Roasting Philosophy
At Dusty Rose Coffee Roasters, we roast every origin in small batches to preserve freshness and respect the character of each region. This Papua New Guinea coffee reflects our belief in honest sourcing, intentional roasting, and giving back one happy horse at a time.

This coffee is available in Light, Medium-Light, Medium, Medium-Dark, and Dark roasts. Tasting notes vary by roast please choose your preference from the drop down menu.

Quick Facts:
Origin: Simbai, Papua New Guinea
Elevation: 1,600-1,900 meters
Process: Washed
Varieties: Bourbon, Typica
Harvest: April – July
Acidity: Moderate, balanced
Body: Full, buttery
Sweetness: Wonderful, caramel forward

Want to explore another remote origin coffee? Try our Ethiopian coffee.