It was this cowboy’s first rodeo in PNG, but Crop to Cup's fourth year with the AAAK Cooperative. So, I had an idea of what was going on. Trip prep included conversations with the charismatic and cooperative head, Brian, as we all worked to encourage the first ever cupping competition between the farmer “clusters.” For review, AAAK comprises Apo, Angra, Angana and Kange Cooperatives (with the addition of Angana, the name recently changed from AAK). These coops span the three coffee producing provinces in Papua New Guinea: Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands and Chimbu/Simbu Provinces. Different places, different languages, different cultures with one thing in common. Coffee.
Due to a history of differences, the cooperative's message has all along been one of...