Since its founding in 1995 in Chicago, Intelligentsia Coffee has become a leader in the third wave coffee movement, emphasizing direct trade, transparency, and a commitment to quality. Their dedication to sourcing the best beans from around the world and roasting them with precision has earned them a loyal following among coffee enthusiasts. Intelligentsia’s approach to coffee is both scientific and artistic, ensuring that every cup tells the story of its origin. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of coffee Intelligentsia offers, highlighting their unique characteristics, origins, and what makes them special.
1. Single Origin Coffees
Intelligentsia is renowned for its single origin coffees, which celebrate the distinct flavors and characteristics of beans from specific regions, farms, or even individual lots. These coffees provide a direct connection to the growers and regions that produce them, offering a unique taste experience.
a. Ethiopia Kurimi
Ethiopia is often considered the birthplace of coffee, and Intelligentsia’s Ethiopia Kurimi exemplifies the rich tradition of Ethiopian coffee. Sourced from the Yirgacheffe region, known for its high elevation and ideal growing conditions, Kurimi is a washed coffee that offers a bright and floral flavor profile. Expect notes of jasmine, bergamot, and sweet citrus, with a clean and crisp finish. This coffee is a favorite among those who appreciate a delicate and aromatic cup.
b. Kenya Ngunguru
Kenya Ngunguru is a standout single origin offering that showcases the vibrant acidity and bold flavors typical of Kenyan coffees. Grown in the Nyeri region, Ngunguru is a washed coffee that delivers a complex cup with notes of blackcurrant, grapefruit, and a hint of tomato. The coffee’s juicy acidity and full body make it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a lively and dynamic cup.
c. Guatemala La Soledad
Guatemala La Soledad comes from the Antigua region, one of the most famous coffee-growing areas in the world. This single origin coffee is the product of a close partnership between Intelligentsia and the Pérez family, who have been farming in the region for generations. La Soledad is known for its balanced acidity and sweet, chocolatey flavor profile, with notes of red apple, caramel, and a touch of spice. It’s a versatile coffee that appeals to a wide range of palates.
2. Blends
Blends are a staple in Intelligentsia’s lineup, offering a consistent and balanced cup by combining beans from different origins. Each blend is meticulously crafted to highlight complementary flavors, making them a reliable choice for everyday drinking.
a. Black Cat Classic Espresso
Black Cat Classic Espresso is one of Intelligentsia’s most iconic blends. Designed specifically for espresso, this blend is a combination of beans from Latin America, creating a rich and full-bodied espresso with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and a hint of fruit. The Black Cat blend is known for its smooth, velvety mouthfeel and its ability to hold up well in milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
b. House Blend
Intelligentsia’s House Blend is a medium roast that combines beans from Latin America and East Africa. This blend is crafted to deliver a balanced and approachable cup, with a bright acidity and a sweet, fruity flavor profile. Notes of citrus, red apple, and milk chocolate make the House Blend a delightful choice for both drip coffee and espresso.
c. El Gallo Organic
El Gallo Organic is a certified organic blend that highlights the best of Latin American coffee. This medium roast blend is smooth and well-rounded, with a flavor profile that includes notes of red fruit, caramel, and a touch of chocolate. El Gallo is a versatile coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or as a base for milk-based drinks.
3. Limited Edition Coffees
In addition to their regular offerings, Intelligentsia releases limited edition coffees that showcase rare and exceptional beans from around the world. These coffees are often sourced from small, experimental lots or feature unique processing methods that result in distinctive flavors.
a. Burundi Buhorwa
Burundi Buhorwa is a limited edition coffee that highlights the exceptional quality of Burundian coffee. Sourced from the Buhorwa washing station in the Kayanza region, this coffee is known for its bright acidity and complex flavor profile. Notes of blackberry, lime, and a hint of floral make this coffee a unique and enjoyable experience.
b. Peru La Naranja
Peru La Naranja is another limited edition offering that showcases the best of Peruvian coffee. Grown in the Cajamarca region, this coffee is washed processed and roasted to bring out its sweet and fruity flavors. Expect notes of orange, red apple, and a touch of honey in this vibrant and refreshing coffee.
4. Cold Brew
Intelligentsia has embraced the growing popularity of cold brew coffee, offering a range of cold brew products that are perfect for enjoying on a hot day or when you’re on the go. Their cold brew is made using a slow, cold-water extraction process that results in a smooth and refreshing coffee concentrate.
a. Cold Coffee
Intelligentsia’s Cold Coffee is a ready-to-drink cold brew product that’s perfect for those who want a quick and refreshing coffee fix. Made with a blend of beans from Latin America, this cold brew is smooth and well-balanced, with notes of chocolate and caramel. It’s a great option for enjoying over ice or as a base for coffee cocktails.
b. Cold Brew Concentrate
For those who prefer to customize their cold brew experience, Intelligentsia offers a Cold Brew Concentrate. This concentrate is made using the same cold-water extraction process, resulting in a rich and smooth coffee that can be diluted with water or milk to your preferred strength. The Cold Brew Concentrate is versatile and can be used to make a variety of cold coffee drinks, from iced lattes to coffee cocktails.
5. Decaf
Intelligentsia understands that some coffee lovers prefer to enjoy their coffee without the caffeine, which is why they offer a range of decaf options that don’t compromise on flavor. These decaf coffees are made using a natural water process that preserves the beans’ flavor while removing the caffeine.
a. Decaf Librarian's Blend
The Decaf Librarian's Blend is one of Intelligentsia’s flagship decaf offerings. This blend combines beans from Latin America and Africa, resulting in a smooth and balanced coffee with notes of chocolate, caramel, and a hint of fruit. The Decaf Librarian's Blend is perfect for those who want to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee any time of day without the caffeine.
b. Decaf Black Cat Classic
For those who love espresso but want to avoid caffeine, Intelligentsia offers Decaf Black Cat Classic. This decaf espresso blend is crafted to deliver the same rich and full-bodied experience as the original Black Cat blend, with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and a touch of fruit. It’s a great choice for making decaf lattes, cappuccinos, or enjoying as a straight espresso.
6. Seasonal Offerings
Intelligentsia’s seasonal offerings are a reflection of the best coffees available during peak harvest seasons. These coffees are carefully selected to highlight unique flavors and profiles that are only available for a short period.
a. Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice is a seasonal blend that’s perfect for the warmer months. This blend combines beans from Latin America and Africa, resulting in a bright and fruity coffee with notes of berry, citrus, and a hint of floral. It’s a refreshing and lively coffee that’s perfect for enjoying on a sunny day.
b. Autumn Harvest
Autumn Harvest is a seasonal blend that captures the flavors of the fall season. This blend features beans from Latin America and Asia, roasted to bring out their rich and comforting flavors. Expect notes of caramel, spice, and a touch of chocolate in this warm and satisfying coffee.
7. Subscription Service
For those who want to enjoy Intelligentsia’s coffee on a regular basis, their subscription service is the perfect solution. Intelligentsia offers a variety of subscription options, allowing customers to receive freshly roasted coffee delivered to their door at a frequency that suits their needs.
a. Blend Subscription
The Blend Subscription is ideal for those who enjoy a consistent and balanced cup. Subscribers receive a rotating selection of Intelligentsia’s signature blends, including Black Cat Classic, House Blend, and others. Each shipment is freshly roasted and delivered to your door, ensuring that you always have a delicious cup of coffee on hand.
b. Single Origin Subscription
The Single Origin Subscription is perfect for coffee enthusiasts who want to explore the diverse flavors of coffee from around the world. Subscribers receive a rotating selection of Intelligentsia’s single origin offerings, each showcasing the unique characteristics of its origin. It’s a great way to discover new coffees and expand your palate.
c. Seasonal Subscription
For those who love to explore the changing flavors of coffee throughout the year, Intelligentsia offers a Seasonal Subscription. Subscribers receive a rotating selection of Intelligentsia’s seasonal offerings, including limited edition and small lot coffees. Each shipment is carefully curated to highlight the best coffees available during each season.
8. Espresso
Intelligentsia’s espresso offerings are crafted to deliver a rich and satisfying experience, whether you’re a professional barista or a home espresso enthusiast. Their espresso blends are designed to produce a consistently excellent shot, with a focus on balance, complexity, and flavor.
a. Black Cat Classic Espresso
As mentioned earlier, Black Cat Classic Espresso is one of Intelligentsia’s most iconic blends. This espresso is known for its smooth, velvety mouthfeel and rich flavor profile, with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and a hint of fruit. It’s a versatile espresso that works well on its own or as the base for milk-based drinks.
b. Honey Badger Espresso
Honey Badger Espresso is a seasonal espresso blend that changes throughout the year, reflecting the best beans available during each season. This blend is designed to be sweet and complex, with a rich crema and balanced acidity. The specific flavor profile of Honey Badger Espresso can vary depending on the beans used, but it typically features notes of fruit, chocolate, and a touch of spice.
Conclusion
Intelligentsia Coffee has established itself as a leader in the specialty coffee industry, with a diverse range of offerings that reflect their commitment to quality and innovation. Whether you prefer single origin coffees that highlight the unique flavors of a specific region, expertly crafted blends, or refreshing cold brew, Intelligentsia has something to offer every coffee lover. With a dedication to sourcing the best beans and roasting them to perfection, Intelligentsia continues to set the standard for what great coffee should be. Whether you’re enjoying a cup at one of their cafes or brewing it at home, you can be sure that you’re drinking coffee that has been crafted with care and expertise.
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