Habina Resource Centre from the Eastern Highlands has won the 2018 Papua New Guinea Coffee Cupping Competition with a cupping score of 85.45.
Judges described the coffee as tasting of “tropical fruit, brown sugar, tea, and bright lemon-lime acidity”.
Six other producers also scored above 85, with Kamora from Obura-Wanenara at 85.41, Untoa Kosa from Obura-Wanenara at 85.32, Pandai from the Enga Province at 85.27, Tibunofi from the Eastern Highlands at 85.23, Obura-Wanenara Coffee Cooperative Society at 85.16 points, and Besser from Obura-Wanenara at 85.01 points.
This is the third PNG Coffee Cupping Competition PNG’s Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) has organised in partnership with the Australian Government-funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program (PHAMA).
From 10 to 13 September, 67 samples were collected from the Eastern Highlands, Enga, Jiwaka, Morobe, and Simbu Provinces, and evaluated by a panel of twelve judges. This included five national cuppers and seven international cuppers from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand.
CIC and PHAMA say many of the top-scoring lots participated as a part of the World Bank Productive Partners in Agriculture Project (PPAP), which implements improvements in producer communities.
At an awards ceremony on 14 September, CIC Chief Executive Officer Charles Dambui awarded development funds and equipment to groups in tiers achieving 83, 84, and 85 points or higher in recognition of their performance.
Liberty Coffee of Singapore is organizing a roadshow of winning lots, with tastings expected in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Perth in November and December.
For more information, contact knockbox@libertycoffee.sgor visit www.instagram.com/libertycoffee.
Image: PHAMA
