Intelligentsia El Gato Blend 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.

• +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.

• +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.