Cameroon 18 (selected)

Origin: Littoral and Western Highland Regions

Profile: Bold, Volcanic, and Deeply Savory

Cameroon SCR 18 (Selected) is a premium, large-bean Robusta that stands out as one of West Africa’s most powerful coffee offerings. The “Selected” status indicates that these beans have undergone rigorous sorting to remove defects and debris, while the “Screen 18” ensures a jumbo, uniform size.

Grown in the mineral-rich, dark volcanic soil surrounding Mount Cameroon, these beans are naturally dense. Because they are often grown at slightly higher elevations than traditional lowland Robusta, they develop a more complex sugar structure, resulting in a cup that is remarkably heavy but surprisingly sweet.

Flavour Experience

Body: Exceptionally heavy and “chewy”—among the thickest mouthfeels in the coffee world.
Notes: Intense baker’s chocolate, toasted peppercorn, and charred oak, with a rustic hint of dried tobacco leaf.
Acidity: Very low; it provides a broad, “flat” foundation that tames the sharp acidity of high-grown Arabicas.
Finish: Long, smoky, and bittersweet, with a persistent malt and cocoa aftertaste.

Best Enjoyed As

This is a “connoisseur’s Robusta,” used primarily for adding weight and “old-world” character to a profile:

The “Big” Espresso Blend: Used at 15–20% to create a massive, stable, and dark crema. It provides the “syrupy” texture that defines traditional European espresso.
Heavy Dark Roasts: The Screen 18 size allows the bean to withstand the high temperatures of an Italian or French roast without losing its structural sweetness.
Cold Brew Concentrate: Because of its low acidity and high body, it produces a very smooth, chocolate-heavy cold brew that doesn’t turn “sour” over time.

The “Selected” Difference in West Africa

In many West African origins, coffee can sometimes be “rustic” (containing sticks, stones, or broken beans). A Selected SCR 18 lot from Cameroon is a high-grade exception:

Mechanical Precision: These lots are passed through gravity tables and color sorters to ensure only the heaviest, cleanest beans remain.
Roast Uniformity: Because the beans are all jumbo-sized (Screen 18), they absorb heat at the same rate, preventing the “burnt popcorn” smell often associated with uneven Robusta roasts.
Purity of Flavor: The selection process removes “black beans” (over-fermented), which are responsible for the harsh, medicinal notes found in lower grades.

Cameroon Selected vs. Vietnam Selected

Feature	Vietnam SCR 18 (Selected)	Cameroon SCR 18 (Selected)
Terroir	High-volume Central Highlands	Volcanic West African Highlands
Character	Clean, Nutty, Direct	Earthy, Spicy, Rugged
Caffeine	High	Very High
Best Pair	Pairs well with Brazil Arabica	Pairs well with Ethiopia/Kenya