Intelligentsia El Gato Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso
The verdict
Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso is the better buy on our scoring, 8.5 to Intelligentsia El Gato Blend's 8.0. It leads on sourcing transparency & ethics and value per kilo.
Intelligentsia El Gato Blend costs $1 less.
Who each one suits
Intelligentsia El Gato Blend
people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso
people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster
Scores higher on sourcing transparency & ethics, value per kilo.
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 Gato Blend | Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshness & Roast Date Transparency | 20% | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Sourcing Transparency & Ethics | 16% | 5.7 | 6.8 |
| Value Per Kilo | 14% | 8.8 | 9.0 |
| Packaging & Freshness Retention | 10% | 8.0 | 8.0 |
What each one costs
| Price | $17.50 | $18.50 |
| Cost per kg The figure that decides what the choice costs over a year, not on the day. | $42.55/kg | $44.75/kg |
Where they differ
Every specification the two makers publish differently. Everything they match on is in the full table below.
| Intelligentsia El Gato Blend | Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17.50 | $18.50 |
| Best for | people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster | people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster |
| What sets it apart | The same Brazil and Costa Rica pairing as Black Cat Classic, roasted for filter rather than espresso | The organic Black Cat, on Ethiopia and Mexico rather than the Classic's Brazil and Costa Rica |
| Brew Methods | Automatic Drip | Espresso |
| Certifications | None claimed by the maker | Organic |
| Origin | Brazil | Colombia, Ethiopia |
| Price per kg | 42.55 USD | 44.75 USD |
| Tasting Notes | Dark chocolate, baked apple, plum | Caramel, honeydew, grape |
Pros and cons
From each full review, written from the same published facts as the scores above.
Intelligentsia El Gato Blend
- +The flagship Black Cat profile rebuilt for filter brewing rather than sold into the wrong brewer.
- +Level with House Blend at the entry price of the range, so the choice is flavour not budget.
- +Comforting and chocolate-driven, which is the more forgiving of the two entry blends.
- +Origins, roast profile and flavour profile all published as structured tags.
- −Built for drip, so it is the wrong bag for an espresso machine despite the Black Cat association.
- −Only two sizes, and the larger is 2.27 kg to keep fresh.
Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso
- +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.
Every specification, side by side
| Intelligentsia El Gato Blend | Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price | $17.50 | $18.50 |
| Who it suits | ||
| Best for | people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster | people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster |
| What sets it apart | The same Brazil and Costa Rica pairing as Black Cat Classic, roasted for filter rather than espresso | The organic Black Cat, on Ethiopia and Mexico rather than the Classic's Brazil and Costa Rica |
| Specifications | ||
| Bag Sizes | 340 g (12 oz) | 340 g (12 oz) |
| Brew Methods | Automatic Drip | Espresso |
| Certifications | None claimed by the maker | Organic |
| Decaf in the range | ✕ | ✕ |
| Direct Trade | ✓ | ✓ |
| Farm or Cooperative Named | ✕ | ✕ |
| Flavoured | Not flavoured | Not flavoured |
| Origin | Brazil | Colombia, Ethiopia |
| Price per kg | 42.55 USD | 44.75 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 | Dark chocolate, baked apple, plum | Caramel, honeydew, grape |
| Whole Bean or Ground | Whole bean, Ground | Whole bean, Ground |
Intelligentsia El Gato Blend vs Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso: common questions
Which is better, Intelligentsia El Gato Blend or Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso?
Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso scores 8.5 against 8.0, both computed from published specifications rather than opinion.
Is Intelligentsia El Gato Blend or Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso cheaper?
Intelligentsia El Gato Blend starts at $17.50, and Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso at $18.50. Per kg they work out at $42.55/kg and $44.75/kg.
Who is Intelligentsia El Gato Blend for?
people who want chocolate + molasses from a direct trade roaster
Who is Intelligentsia Organic Black Cat Espresso for?
people who want caramel + stone fruit from a direct trade roaster
Keep comparing
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