Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend
AheadIntelligentsia El Gallo Blend is narrowly ahead, 8.5 to Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend's 8.3. It leads on value per kilo.
Who each one suits
people who want apple + raw sugar from a direct trade roaster
Scores higher on value per kilo.
people who want apple + raw sugar 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 El Gallo Blend | Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshness & Roast Date Transparency | 20% | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Sourcing Transparency & Ethics | 16% | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| Value Per Kilo | 14% | 9.0 | 8.7 |
| Packaging & Freshness Retention | 10% | 8.0 | 8.0 |
What each one costs
| Price | $18.50 | $18.50 |
| Cost per kg The figure that decides what the choice costs over a year, not on the day. | $44.75/kg | $46.08/kg |
Where they differ
Every specification the two makers publish differently. Everything they match on is in the full table below.
| Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend | Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend | |
|---|---|---|
| What sets it apart | Organic certified Mexican beans at medium-light, the lightest of the El series | Organic and decaffeinated together on a single Mexican origin |
| Brew Methods | V60 | Automatic Drip |
| Decaf in the range | ✕ | ✓ |
| Decaffeinated | — | ✓ |
| Origin | Colombia, Ethiopia | Mexico |
| Price per kg | 44.75 USD | 46.08 USD |
| Roast Level | Medium-light | Medium |
| Roast Profile | Bright | Comforting |
| Tasting Notes | Milk chocolate, honey, stone fruit | Chocolate, lime, caramelized sugar |
Pros and cons
From each full review, written from the same published facts as the scores above.
- +Organic certification and Direct Trade on the same bag, for a dollar over the entry blends.
- +Roasted light and filed for a V60, which is unusual honesty about how it should be brewed.
- +Single country of origin, so the apple sweetness reads more clearly than in a multi-country blend.
- +Whole bean or ground at the same price, with a subscription and a 5 lb option.
- −A light roast pointed at pour over is more work than an automatic drip blend.
- −Wrong bag for espresso or for milk drinks.
- −Only two sizes, and the larger is 2.27 kg to keep fresh.
- +Water process rather than solvent decaffeination, which is the more expensive and better method.
- +Organic certification and Direct Trade on a decaf, which almost no roaster bothers with.
- +Only a dollar over the caffeinated House Blend, a smaller decaf premium than usual.
- +Named origin and published roast and flavour profile, same as the caffeinated range.
- −Decaffeination costs any coffee some of its aromatics, whatever the method.
- −The only decaf in the range, so there is no choice of roast or origin.
- −Only two sizes, and the larger is 2.27 kg to keep fresh.
Every specification, side by side
| Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend | Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price | $18.50 | $18.50 |
| Who it suits | ||
| Best for | people who want apple + raw sugar from a direct trade roaster | people who want apple + raw sugar from a direct trade roaster |
| What sets it apart | Organic certified Mexican beans at medium-light, the lightest of the El series | Organic and decaffeinated together on a single Mexican origin |
| Specifications | ||
| Bag Sizes | 340 g (12 oz) | 340 g (12 oz) |
| Brew Methods | V60 | Automatic Drip |
| Certifications | Organic | Organic |
| Decaf in the range | ✕ | ✓ |
| Direct Trade | ✓ | ✓ |
| Farm or Cooperative Named | ✕ | ✕ |
| Flavoured | Not flavoured | Not flavoured |
| Decaffeinated | — | ✓ |
| Origin | Colombia, Ethiopia | Mexico |
| Price per kg | 44.75 USD | 46.08 USD |
| Roast Date Printed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roast Level | Medium-light | Medium |
| Roast Profile | Bright | 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 | Milk chocolate, honey, stone fruit | Chocolate, lime, caramelized sugar |
| Whole Bean or Ground | Whole bean, Ground | Whole bean, Ground |
Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend: common questions
Which is better, Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend or Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend?
Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend scores 8.5 against 8.3, both computed from published specifications rather than opinion.
Is Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend or Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend cheaper?
Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend starts at $18.50, and Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend at $18.50. Per kg they work out at $44.75/kg and $46.08/kg.
Who is Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend for?
people who want apple + raw sugar from a direct trade roaster
Who is Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend for?
people who want apple + raw sugar from a direct trade roaster
Keep comparing
- Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso
- Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic French Roast Blend
- Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend vs Intelligentsia Illumination Blend
- Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend vs Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso
- Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend vs Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso
- Intelligentsia El Gallo Blend vs Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend
- Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso
- Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic French Roast Blend
- Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend vs Intelligentsia Illumination Blend
- Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend vs Intelligentsia Black Cat Analog Espresso
- Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend vs Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso
- Intelligentsia Organic Decaf House Blend vs Intelligentsia El Diablo Blend












