Madagascar Gr1 scr 16/18

Origin: East Coast (Vatovavy, Fitovinany) and Sambirano Valley

Profile: Wild, Fruity, and Deeply Earthy

Madagascar Grade 1 (SCR 16/18) is a rare, exotic gem in the world of Robusta. While Madagascar is famous for vanilla and cacao, its coffee is a hidden treasure, often grown in lush, biodiverse rainforests. The “Grade 1” indicates the highest sorting standard (minimal defects), and the “SCR 16/18” confirms a large, uniform bean size.

Most Madagascar Robusta is Natural Processed and often shade-grown among spice trees. This unique “forest-grown” environment imparts a complex, wild character that is far more “expressive” than the clean, industrial Robustas of Southeast Asia.

Flavour Experience

Body: Very full and “round” with a buttery mouthfeel.
Notes: A unique profile of dark chocolate, wild berries, and tobacco, often with a subtle “funk” or fermented fruit sweetness (like raisins or dried figs).
Acidity: Low, but possesses a faint, wine-like fruitiness that is rare for Robusta.
Finish: Bold and lingering with a distinctive woody spice (think clove or peppercorn).

Best Enjoyed As

Madagascar Robusta is for those who want a “character” coffee rather than just a caffeine filler:

The “Wild” Espresso Blend: Used at 10–20%, it adds a layer of fruity complexity and a massive, dark crema that gives a blend a “soul” beyond just chocolate notes.
Single-Origin French Press: Its heavy body and rustic fruitiness shine in immersion brewing, where the oils can fully coat the palate.
Specialty Dark Roasts: Because it’s a Grade 1 “Selected” lot, it roasts very cleanly, allowing you to push into deep caramelization while keeping the berry-like sweetness intact.

The “Rainforest” Terroir

Unlike the vast, sun-drenched monoculture plantations in other countries, Madagascar’s coffee is typically grown by smallholders in “agroforestry” systems. The beans develop slowly under the canopy of native trees, which increases the density and sugar concentration within the bean. This results in the “Hazo Ala” (Ancient Forest) style—bold, wild, and intensely aromatic.

Quick Comparison: Madagascar vs. Cameroon

Feature	Madagascar Gr1 (Natural)	Cameroon SCR 18 (Natural)
Character	Wild / Berry-like / Funky	Earthy / Oaky / Savory
Aromatics	Sweet Tobacco & Spice	Smoke & Dark Cocoa
Vibe	Exotic & Complex	Rugged & Powerful