History & Origins
Sigri Coffee Estate was founded in the 1950’s by Tom Cole, a crocodile hunter and coffee farmer.
Subsequently it was bought by WR Carpenters.
The Sigri plantation, situated in the Wahgi Valley, in the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, was established in the 1950s and rapidly gained a reputation that has continued to grow with Sigri being internationally recognized as producing a gourmet coffee equal to the world’s best for more than 20 years. The estate emerged during Papua New Guinea’s early commercial coffee era, as coffee production had only begun to take off in the country during the 1920s with the introduction of Jamaica Blue Mountain seeds.
It is one of 6 coffee estates in PNG’s Western Highlands & Jiwaka Province owned and managed by WR Carpenter Estates.
We operate the single largest coffee plantation in PNG, consisting of around 750 hectares and are washed at two mills: Sigri and Bunum Wo.
Sigri plantation is 125 ha area with additional 3 ha proposed to be added this year with a super specialty variety known as Big Red/Maragogype. This jumbo variety was discovered in Sigri estate in 2014. The estate has evolved from its pioneering origins to become a benchmark for quality in Papua New Guinea coffee, maintaining the original vision of producing exceptional Arabica coffees that rival the world’s finest origins.
Terroir & Growing Conditions
The farm is situated in 1.525m altitude in the flat and fertile Waghi Valley near Mt.Hagen.
Soils are of Volcanic origin. Regular rainfall and good sunshine provides the basis for coffee to grow and cup well.
These combinations of varying terrain, dense vegetation and a natural abundance of resources over thousands of years have created the deeply fertile area named Wahgi Valley. The Waghi River forms one boundary of the estate, contributing to the microclimate and water resources essential for quality coffee production.
The plantation employs a medium density shade strategy, using two types of shade trees. This promotes even ripening of coffee cherries and provides habitat for at least 90 species of birds.
Shade trees comprise Albizzia sp. and Causuarina sp.
A total of 160 different bird species have been recorded in the Wahgi Valley, of which 90 species alone have been found on the Plantation. The most common birds found on the Sigri Plantation are those which feed on the honey nectar from the Albizzia trees. Species such as the Brush Cuckoo, Brown-breasted Gerygone, Black-headed Whistler and the Superb and Raggiana Bird of Paradise, which is the national emblem of Papua New Guinea, and is depicted on the Sigri coffee sacks. This biodiversity management has earned the estate its Bird-Friendly certification while contributing to the complex ecosystem that influences coffee flavor development.
Processing & Production
All plantings are exclusively Arabica, concentrating on the Typica varieties which originate from seed introduced to Papua New Guinea from Jamaica Blue Mountain Typica rootstock.
Eighty four percent of the farm is taken with Typica, Arusha and Caribbean Blue (Blue Mountain). This traces its roots back to Jamaica Blue Mountain and tends to grow only in very specific conditions. The rest is split between the Catimor and Maragogype which has the local name Big Red, and was discovered growing on the estate in 2014.
Quality control begins in the field; coffee cherry is hand-picked and carefully checked for uniformity; it must be red and fully ripe which allows for the correct balance of sugar and acid within the cherry. This selected cherry is then pulped on the day of picking. The fermentation process stretches through a period of three days, broken every 24 hours by washing. Unlike other washed processed coffees, however, Sigri’s process follows this by a total immersion in water for a further day, which creates a unique flavor profile.
All Sigri coffee is sun dried to further enhance flavor. Careful conditioning, hulling, grading and hand sorting follows.
Careful conditioning of 21 days is followed by hulling, grading, color sorting and finally hand sorting. This meticulous processing sequence, rare in Papua New Guinea, distinguishes Sigri’s approach from typical regional methods and contributes significantly to its reputation for consistency and quality.
Cup Profile & Tasting Notes
Unique flavor profile has smoky, hickory background note reminiscent of better Jamaica coffees. Layered, refined sweetness. This is an example of PNG coffee at its best.
Reminiscent of the better Jamaica Blue Mountain offerings, this year’s coffee seems particularly striking with its ethereal hickory notes; a unique but not over-the-top flavor profile. The signature hickory character stems from Sigri’s distinctive processing method and the Jamaica Blue Mountain genetic lineage that defines much of the estate’s plantings.
Silky smooth and very clean. Lower acidity with good sweetness and balance.
This Direct Trade Arabica Papua New Guinea Sigri Estate, is known for its intense aroma, smooth body, nutty and luscious characteristics. It is medium body, low acidity and makes a beautifully balanced cup with superb flavor. The coffee displays chocolate and caramel notes alongside its distinctive smokiness, with occasional stone fruit undertones that vary by lot and processing. Smooth, big bodied & creamy with semi-sweet chocolate notes, nutty accents and a bit of lingering spice in the aftertaste. Lower acidity cup but will show some floral characteristics at the lighter roast points. A little roasty/smoky tone into second crack but it will compliment the more chocolaty and nutty profile. This complexity makes Sigri particularly versatile for various brewing methods and roast profiles, consistently delivering the refined character that has established its international reputation.