Fruit Bat is Intelligentsia's seasonal espresso blend, and this year's version is all East Africa: a washed Ethiopian coffee from Guji grown at 2,000 to 2,200 meters and a washed Kenyan coffee from Kirinyaga at 1,600 to 1,700 meters.
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Blood orange, black cherry, black currant
- Origin
- Ethiopia, Guji, Kenya, Kirinyaga
- Process
- Washed
- Roast
- Medium
- Roaster
- Intelligentsia
Roast level
About this coffee
What the roaster tells us.
Fruit Bat is Intelligentsia’s seasonal espresso blend, and this year’s version is all East Africa: a washed Ethiopian coffee from Guji grown at 2,000 to 2,200 meters and a washed Kenyan coffee from Kirinyaga at 1,600 to 1,700 meters. Intelligentsia lists blood orange, black cherry and black currant and describes the shot as sweet and balanced. The roaster’s starting recipe is 18 grams in for 51 to 55 grams out over 38 to 40 seconds, a longer ratio than most house espressos. It comes in 12 oz bags.
Product details checked 2026-11-04. Roaster descriptions can change between lots. Tasting notes describe sensory impressions, not a guarantee of how your brew will taste.
Where it’s from
Ethiopia, Guji, Kenya, Kirinyaga
RoasterIntelligentsia
OriginEthiopia, Guji, Kenya, Kirinyaga
ProcessWashed
RoastMedium
From farm to cup
Where it grew, how it was made, how it’s roasted.
Straight from the roaster’s listing — no guesswork added.
Step 01 · OriginGrown
Ethiopia, Guji, Kenya, Kirinyaga
Step 02 · ProcessProcessed
Washed
Step 03 · RoastRoasted
Medium
Before you buy
Is it right for you?
You’ll like it if…
- You enjoy bright, fruity coffees.
- You want a balanced, medium-roast cup that works with or without milk.
- You make espresso or milk drinks at home.
The details
- Variety
- Ethiopian heirloom, Kenyan varieties
- Altitude
- 1,600 to 2,200 m
- Producer or farm
- Smallholders in Guji and Kirinyaga
- Certifications
- Direct Trade
- Bag size
- 12 oz bag
- Price
- $30.00
- Price per ounce
- $2.50 per oz
From the roaster’s listing, checked November 4, 2026. Prices change.
About this blend
This is a blend of coffees from Ethiopia and Kenya. Roasters blend origins to balance each other, for example pairing a sweet, chocolatey base with a brighter, fruitier coffee, and to keep the flavor consistent from batch to batch.
What the process means
In a washed process, the fruit is removed from the bean before it dries. Washed coffees tend to taste clean and bright, and show off the character of the origin.
How to brew it
Starting recipes for this roast level. Adjust grind and ratio to taste; the roaster’s own guidance always wins.
| Method | Coffee | Water | Grind | Water temp | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pour-over Our pick | 15 g | 250 g | Medium-fine | 93°C / 200°F | 2:30–3:30 |
| French press | 30 g | 500 g | Coarse | 93°C / 200°F | 4 minutes |
| Cold brew | 100 g | 800 g | Coarse | Cold water | 12–18 hours in the fridge |
The people behind this coffee
Meet Intelligentsia
Intelligentsia started roasting in Chicago in 1995 and still roasts every bag there. Its buyers travel through the year to visit growers, and its Direct Trade program now includes more than 50 partners in 14 countries, many of them working with the roaster for over a decade. Each year the team cups, grades and releases more than 50 single origins and blends, from the Black Cat espressos it has made since the start to small, seasonal lots from Ethiopia, Kenya and Colombia. For filter coffee, Intelligentsia suggests a 1:18 coffee to water ratio as a starting point.
All Intelligentsia coffees
Espresso starting point
Dial it in
A 1:2 dose-to-yield ratio is a common place to start. Adjust grind and taste — the roaster’s own guidance always wins.
In18g
Out36g
Time25–30s
Compare
Similar coffees from other roasters
| Coffee | Roast | Origin | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligentsia Fruit Bat Espresso This coffee | Medium | Ethiopia, Guji, Kenya, Kirinyaga | Blood orange, black cherry, black currant |
| Coffee Bros. Espresso Roast Coffee | Medium | Ethiopia, Colombia | Strawberry, sugar cane, vanilla |
| Stumptown Ethiopia Mordecofe | Medium | Ethiopia, Guji | Nectarine, melon, jasmine |
| Black & White Coffee Roasters The New School – Strawberry | Medium | West Arsi, Ethiopia; Quindío, Colombia | Strawberry jam, canned pineapple, milk chocolate |
Questions
Intelligentsia Fruit Bat Espresso FAQ
What does Intelligentsia Fruit Bat Espresso taste like?
Intelligentsia lists tasting notes of blood orange, black cherry and black currant. It's a medium roast.
Where does Intelligentsia Fruit Bat Espresso come from?
It's a blend of coffees from Ethiopia, Guji, Kenya, Kirinyaga. The producer is Smallholders in Guji and Kirinyaga. It was grown at 1,600 to 2,200 m.
How is Intelligentsia Fruit Bat Espresso processed?
The roaster lists the process as washed. In a washed process, the fruit is removed from the bean before it dries.
Is Intelligentsia Fruit Bat Espresso good for espresso?
Yes. The roaster recommends it for espresso. A 1:2 ratio, such as 18 grams in and 36 grams out in 25 to 30 seconds, is a good place to start.
What's the best way to brew Intelligentsia Fruit Bat Espresso?
A good starting point is pour-over: 15 g of coffee to 250 g of water, medium-fine grind, water at 93°C / 200°F, about 2:30–3:30. Adjust to taste.
Where can I buy Intelligentsia Fruit Bat Espresso?
You can buy it from Intelligentsia. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before you order.
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