Vietnam — Clean SCR 16 (Selected)

Origin: Central Highlands (Dak Lak & Gia Lai)

Profile: Punchy, Nutty, and Reliable

Vietnam Clean SCR 16 (Selected) is the essential “standard” for high-quality Robusta exports. While the Screen 18 is often reserved for premium “jumbo” whole-bean displays, the Screen 16 is the industry favorite for production roasting. These beans are smaller and denser, which allows them to roast very quickly and efficiently, developing a deep, caramelized profile without the need for excessive heat.

The “Selected” designation means this lot has been through rigorous mechanical cleaning and color sorting. It lacks the “wet polished” shine, offering instead a natural, matte appearance that is free from stones, sticks, and primary defects. This ensures a clean, predictable cup that is much higher in quality than standard commercial Robusta.

Flavour Experience

Body: Medium-full and “syrupy.”
Notes: Toasted hazelnut, cereal sweetness (like roasted corn or malt), and dark cocoa.
Acidity: None; exceptionally low and smooth.
Finish: Crisp and savory, with a lingering bittersweet chocolate note.

Best Enjoyed As

Screen 16 Selected is the “utility player” in a roaster’s inventory:

The High-Yield Espresso: Its smaller size means more beans per kilogram, providing a very high surface area for extraction, which results in a massive, stable crema.
Bulk Ground Coffee: The “Selected” quality ensures that the final ground product is free from the “rubbery” or “fermented” off-notes found in cheaper, unselected lots.
Blending for Intensity: Perfect as a 20–30% additive to South American Arabicas to increase the “perceived strength” and body of a breakfast blend.

The “Screen 16” Benefit

Heat Transfer: Because the beans are slightly smaller than Screen 18, the heat reaches the center of the bean more rapidly. This often results in a more “uniform” internal roast, which can reduce the harshness sometimes found in larger, under-developed Robusta.
Cost Efficiency: It offers nearly identical flavor profiles to the larger Screen 18 but usually at a more attractive price point, making it the smarter choice for high-volume commercial blends.

Quick Comparison: Vietnam Clean vs. Vietnam Wet Polished

Feature	Vietnam Clean (Selected)	Vietnam Wet Polished
Process	Dry-milled & Color Sorted	Mechanically scrubbed with water
Silver Skin	Some remaining in the center	Almost entirely removed
Roast Visual	More “matte” and traditional	Very oily and shiny
Taste Profile	Rustic / Nutty	Ultra-clean / Chocolatey