Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia Frequency Blend
The verdict
Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso and Intelligentsia Frequency Blend score the same, 8.0 out of 10, so the choice is what each is better at rather than which is better.
Who each one suits
Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso
people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
Intelligentsia Frequency Blend
people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
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 Classic Espresso | Intelligentsia Frequency Blend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshness & Roast Date Transparency | 20% | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Sourcing Transparency & Ethics | 16% | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| Value Per Kilo | 14% | 8.8 | 8.8 |
| Packaging & Freshness Retention | 10% | 8.0 | 8.0 |
What each one costs
| Price | $17.50 | $17.50 |
| Cost per kg The figure that decides what the choice costs over a year, not on the day. | $42.55/kg | $42.55/kg |
Where they differ
Every specification the two makers publish differently. Everything they match on is in the full table below.
| Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso | Intelligentsia Frequency Blend | |
|---|---|---|
| What sets it apart | Brazil and Costa Rica together, the espresso Intelligentsia has built its bar programme on | Brazil and El Salvador, the only Salvadoran component in the Intelligentsia range here |
| Brew Methods | Espresso | Automatic Drip |
| Origin | Brazil | Brazil, El Salvador |
| Tasting Notes | Cherry, cola, orange | Golden raisin, raw sugar, cocoa |
Pros and cons
From each full review, written from the same published facts as the scores above.
Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso
- +In continuous production since 1995 and a reference point in American specialty espresso.
- +The lightest espresso in the range, so it keeps fruit acidity most espresso blends roast away.
- +Roast profile, flavour profile, origins and trade terms all published as structured facts.
- +The 5 lb bag saves about seventeen percent per gram, a real discount by this site's standards.
- −A light espresso is unforgiving on a home machine with a grinder that cannot be dialled finely.
- −Only two sizes, and the larger one is 2.27 kg, which is a lot of coffee to keep fresh.
- −About $42.55 a kilo, above Cooper's Cask at $33 and well above supermarket specialty.
Intelligentsia Frequency Blend
- +The cheapest Direct Trade coffee in the range, level on price with two blends that carry no trade tag.
- +Built as an everyday crowd pleaser, which is the right brief for a household bag.
- +Dried fruit and sugar give it more character than a neutral house blend.
- +Origins, roast profile, flavour profile and trade terms all published as tags.
- −Designed to please everyone, which means it is nobody's favourite cup.
- −No organic certification, where El Gallo and Illumination carry both that and Direct Trade.
- −Only two sizes, and the larger is 2.27 kg to keep fresh.
Every specification, side by side
| Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso | Intelligentsia Frequency Blend | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price | $17.50 | $17.50 |
| Who it suits | ||
| Best for | people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster | people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster |
| What sets it apart | Brazil and Costa Rica together, the espresso Intelligentsia has built its bar programme on | Brazil and El Salvador, the only Salvadoran component in the Intelligentsia range here |
| Specifications | ||
| Bag Sizes | 340 g (12 oz) | 340 g (12 oz) |
| Brew Methods | Espresso | Automatic Drip |
| Certifications | None claimed by the maker | None claimed by the maker |
| Decaf in the range | ✕ | ✕ |
| Direct Trade | ✓ | ✓ |
| Farm or Cooperative Named | ✕ | ✕ |
| Flavoured | Not flavoured | Not flavoured |
| Origin | Brazil | Brazil, El Salvador |
| Price per kg | 42.55 USD | 42.55 USD |
| Roast Date Printed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roast Level | Medium | Medium |
| Roast Profile | Comforting | 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 | Cherry, cola, orange | Golden raisin, raw sugar, cocoa |
| Whole Bean or Ground | Whole bean, Ground | Whole bean, Ground |
Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia Frequency Blend: common questions
Which is better, Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso or Intelligentsia Frequency Blend?
Both score 8.0 out of 10 on the specifications their makers publish, so neither is ahead overall. Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso leads on nothing scored.
Is Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso or Intelligentsia Frequency Blend cheaper?
Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso starts at $17.50, and Intelligentsia Frequency Blend at $17.50. Per kg they work out at $42.55/kg and $42.55/kg.
Who is Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso for?
people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
Who is Intelligentsia Frequency Blend for?
people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
Keep comparing
More Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso matchups
- Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso
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- Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia Illumination Blend
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- Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend
More Intelligentsia Frequency Blend matchups
- Intelligentsia Frequency Blend vs Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso
- Intelligentsia Frequency Blend vs Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend
- Intelligentsia Frequency Blend vs Intelligentsia El Gato Blend
- Intelligentsia Frequency Blend vs Intelligentsia Illumination Blend
- Intelligentsia Frequency Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend
- Intelligentsia Frequency Blend vs Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend