Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia Illumination Blend

people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster

Scores higher on value per kilo.

people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster

Scores higher on sourcing transparency & ethics.

• +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.

• +Ethiopian coffee in an everyday blend, at well under single origin prices.
• +Organic certification and Direct Trade on the same bag.
• +Caramel gives the stone fruit a base, so it works in a drip machine rather than needing a hand brew.
• +Origins, roast profile, flavour profile and trade terms all published as tags.

• −$2.50 over the entry blends, and El Gallo carries the same two certifications for $1.50 less.
• −An Ethiopian-led blend varies more between harvests than a Brazilian one.
• −Only two sizes, and the larger is 2.27 kg to keep fresh.