Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso vs Intelligentsia Organic French Roast Blend

people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster

people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster

Scores higher on sourcing transparency & ethics, value per kilo.

• +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.

• +Organic certification and Direct Trade on a dark roast, which is rare on a specialty menu.
• +The roast intention stated plainly as extended roasting for a semi-sweet, heavy body.
• +Single named country of origin behind the darkest blend they sell.
• +Only a dollar over the entry blends despite two certifications.

• −A French roast narrows what any coffee can show, however carefully it is done.
• −Filed for drip, so it is not the bag for an espresso machine despite the depth.
• −Only two sizes, and the larger is 2.27 kg to keep fresh.