Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso vs Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso

people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster

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

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

• +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.

• +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.