Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso vs Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso
The verdict
Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso is the better buy on our scoring, 8.5 to Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso's 8.0. It leads on sourcing transparency & ethics and value per kilo.
Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso costs $1 less.
Who each one suits
Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso
people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso
people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster
Scores higher on sourcing transparency & ethics, value per kilo.
How they score, criterion by criterion
Both are scored the same way against the rest of their category, from what their makers publish. The weight is how much each criterion moves the total. How the score works
| Criterion | Weight in category | Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso | Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshness & Roast Date Transparency | 20% | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Sourcing Transparency & Ethics | 16% | 5.7 | 6.8 |
| Value Per Kilo | 14% | 8.8 | 9.0 |
| Packaging & Freshness Retention | 10% | 8.0 | 8.0 |
What each one costs
| Price | $17.50 | $18.50 |
| Cost per kg The figure that decides what the choice costs over a year, not on the day. | $42.55/kg | $44.75/kg |
Where they differ
Every specification the two makers publish differently. Everything they match on is in the full table below.
| Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso | Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17.50 | $18.50 |
| Best for | people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster | people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster |
| What sets it apart | The Brazilian-only Black Cat, roasted medium-dark, where the Classic blends two origins | The organic Black Cat, on Ethiopia and Mexico rather than the Classic's Brazil and Costa Rica |
| Certifications | None claimed by the maker | Organic |
| Origin | Brazil | Colombia, Ethiopia |
| Price per kg | 42.55 USD | 44.75 USD |
| Roast Level | Medium-dark | Medium |
| Roast Profile | Traditional | Comforting |
| Tasting Notes | Dark chocolate, baking spices, toasted marshmallow | Caramel, honeydew, grape |
Pros and cons
From each full review, written from the same published facts as the scores above.
Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso
- +Built and roasted specifically to hold up in milk, which most espresso blends only claim.
- +More forgiving of an imperfect grind than the lighter Classic, which matters on a home machine.
- +Direct Trade tagged, with the origin country named on the blend.
- +Identical price to the Classic, so the choice is about the cup rather than the budget.
- −A darker roast gives up the fruit acidity that makes the Classic interesting as a straight shot.
- −Only two sizes, and the larger is 2.27 kg of an oily roast to keep fresh.
- −About $42.55 a kilo, above Cooper's Cask at $33 and well above supermarket coffee.
Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso
- +Certified organic and Direct Trade on the same bag, which is an uncommon pairing.
- +Ethiopian and Mexican components give the Black Cat profile a different route to the same place.
- +Tagged Comforting rather than Traditional, so it keeps more character than the darker Analog.
- +Only a dollar over the standard Classic for the certification.
- −About $44.75 a kilo, above the standard Black Cat and well above supermarket espresso.
- −Organic certification narrows the farm pool, which can make a blend harder to hold steady across seasons.
- −Only two sizes, and 5 lb is a lot of an espresso blend for a household.
Every specification, side by side
| Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso | Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price | $17.50 | $18.50 |
| Who it suits | ||
| Best for | people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster | people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster |
| What sets it apart | The Brazilian-only Black Cat, roasted medium-dark, where the Classic blends two origins | The organic Black Cat, on Ethiopia and Mexico rather than the Classic's Brazil and Costa Rica |
| Specifications | ||
| Bag Sizes | 340 g (12 oz) | 340 g (12 oz) |
| Brew Methods | Espresso | Espresso |
| Certifications | None claimed by the maker | Organic |
| Decaf in the range | ✕ | ✕ |
| Direct Trade | ✓ | ✓ |
| Farm or Cooperative Named | ✕ | ✕ |
| Flavoured | Not flavoured | Not flavoured |
| Origin | Brazil | Colombia, Ethiopia |
| Price per kg | 42.55 USD | 44.75 USD |
| Roast Date Printed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roast Level | Medium-dark | Medium |
| Roast Profile | Traditional | Comforting |
| Roaster Country | United States | United States |
| Roaster Country Code | US | US |
| Roaster Named | Intelligentsia Coffee | Intelligentsia Coffee |
| Seasonal | Year round | Year round |
| Ships to | US, worldwide | US, worldwide |
| Ships to Note | Ships internationally as well as within the US. The roaster does not publish a country list, and import duties fall to the buyer. | Ships internationally as well as within the US. The roaster does not publish a country list, and import duties fall to the buyer. |
| Origin structure | Blend | Blend |
| Subscription Available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tasting Notes | Dark chocolate, baking spices, toasted marshmallow | Caramel, honeydew, grape |
| Whole Bean or Ground | Whole bean, Ground | Whole bean, Ground |
Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso vs Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso: common questions
Which is better, Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso or Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso?
Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso scores 8.5 against 8.0, both computed from published specifications rather than opinion.
Is Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso or Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso cheaper?
Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso starts at $17.50, and Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso at $18.50. Per kg they work out at $42.55/kg and $44.75/kg.
Who is Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso for?
people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
Who is Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso for?
people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster
Keep comparing
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