Papua New Guinea Wahgi Valley – Applied Arts Coffee

Applied Arts Coffee is a roaster currently based in Portland, Oregon, but will be opening a cafe in New Orleans in 2023. It is family-owned and run by chef Baruch Rabasa. I had a chance to speak with Baruch a few weeks ago and his passion for coffee is evident. He’s channeled his culinary attention to detail and desire for perfection in the kitchen to his sourcing and roasting of coffee—and the results are impressive.

This Papua New Guinea caught me by surprise when I first brewed it. It is punchy, yet surprisingly clean and its roast profile perfectly supports the coffee’s strengths. The coffee begins with a lively fragrance of sweet bright citrus and creamy melon. The flavor begins with punchy citrus acidity, but softens and becomes creamier as the coffee cools. It has a medium-light body, but a full mouthfeel and a very well-balanced profile. The sweetness reminds me of lemon drops and it finishes with a creamy, sweet finish. I found the coffee to be quite flexible but brews best with pour over drippers.

The Bottom Line

I was quite impressed with this first coffee from Applied Arts Coffee. It was very approachable but still very exciting; clean, but with enough punch. It evolved nicely as the coffee cooled and was enjoyable to brew every time.