Origins / Karkar Islandpg-karkar-island
Karkar Island
Papua New Guinea · Madang Province (Karkar Island)
reviewed
admixture
A volcanic island off Madang with a long plantation history, where cacao is processed by both estates and smallholders. Smoky notes are largely attributable to traditional firewood-assisted drying rather than the bean itself.
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Country Papua New Guinea Region Madang Province (Karkar Island) Growing region Asia & Pacific Coordinates -4.65°, 145.96° (approx.) Elevation 0-300 m Producer multiple Genetic groups admixture Traditional class Trinitario Also known as Karkar Bean notes Volcanic-island plantation and smallholder cacao of introduced hybrid origin. Harvest season harvest spread across the year with seasonal peaks Fermentation Plantation and smallholder box fermentation. Drying Many lots dried with wood-fired or hot-air dryers, which can impart smoky character; some sun-dried. Flavour cocoa · smoky · nutty · earthy Updated 2026-05-22
Sources PNG National Research Institute, 'Value Chain Analysis for the PNG Cocoa Industry' (2023) The National (PNG), 'Why cocoa has a future in PNG'
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