The Niugini Arabica Story

In 2011, three former Australian National University researchers shared a vision - to showcase to the Australian public the remarkable produce of Papua New Guinea. After all, Papua New Guinea is the most biodiverse place on the planet and it lies just 2 km north of Australia. The rich flavours found in Papua New Guinea produce is remarkable, be it the vegetables, fruit, honey, spices, and of course, coffee beans. Unfortunately, quarantine restrictions mean that Australians are only able to experience the flavours of Papua New Guinea by visiting there. But coffee beans are the exception. Almost all coffee beans produced in Papua New Guinea are exported to Europe and the United States. Meanwhile, almost all coffee beans imported into Australia come from the other side of the World.

Niugini Arabica was established in 2011 to address this paradox and bring to the Australian people coffee beans that are produced in our neighbourhood and that are grown in the most pristine conditions on the planet. Of course, it is not good enough to just source the best beans - they must be roasted in the best way to bring out the rich flavours that lie within. By specialising in Papua New Guinea beans, Niugini Arabica has been able to implement an iterative process to optimise the roasting profile specific to these beans. This is why we have been able to win medals in every competition we have entered.

Dr Charles Yala, Dr Theodore Levantis, and Prof Satish Chand are the multicultural team of former researchers behind Niugini Arabica. The Niugini Arabica journey is particularly personal for Dr Yala having grown up in a village coffee farm deep in the highlands where there were no roads, no phones, no electricity and only rudimentary education and health facilities. Part of the vision has therefore been to support the village farming communities. This is why we buy certified organic beans, because whilst most beans in Papua New Guinea are grown organically, certification means that growers receive a much higher price.

And the name? Niugini is pronounced “New Guinea” and is the way the people of Papua New Guinea refer to their country.