Kaukau, or sweet potato, is the most important staple food in Papua New Guinea. Simple to prepare and deeply nourishing, it forms the backbone of daily meals across both rural villages and urban homes.
Kaukau is valued for its versatility and is prepared in several traditional ways:
Fresh kaukau is washed, peeled or left unpeeled, cut into chunks, and boiled in water until tender. You can eat it plain or paired with greens, fish, or meat.
Whole kaukau is roasted directly in embers or over open flames, giving it a smoky flavor and soft interior.
For special occasions, kaukau is cooked in a mumu—an underground oven layered with hot stones, leaves, and other ingredients. This method slow-cooks the sweet potato alongside meats and vegetables.
Boiled kaukau may be mashed and combined with leafy greens like aibika, often enriched with coconut milk. This 4th method of cooking is what we’ll be looking at today.
Kaukau, or sweet potato, is the most important staple food in Papua New Guinea. Simple to prepare and deeply nourishing, it forms the backbone of daily meals across both rural villages and urban homes.
Background and Origin
Kaukau has been cultivated in Papua New Guinea for thousands of years, long before European contact. Archaeological evidence suggests that highland communities domesticated sweet potatoes as early as 8,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest agricultural traditions in the region.
The crop thrives in Papua New Guinea’s diverse climates, especially in the highlands, where it has become central to food security. Because it is easy to grow, stores well in the ground, and provides high energy, kaukau supported population growth and village life.
Beyond nutrition, kaukau holds social and cultural value. It’s used in:
Sharing kaukau symbolizes generosity, survival, and connection to the land.
Today, kaukau remains a cornerstone of Papua New Guinean cuisine and identity. Whether simply boiled for breakfast or baked in the oven or open flame, it represents resilience, tradition, and the enduring relationship between people and their environment.
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Whether baked to bring out its natural sweetness or mashed into a comforting, nourishing dish, kaukau reflects a tradition of cooking that values patience, balance, and respect for the land. Its enduring presence in daily meals and communal gatherings highlights how simple ingredients, prepared with care, can carry deep cultural meaning across generations.