Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic 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.

• +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.

• +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.