Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso

Name: Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso
Brand: Intelligentsia

Black Cat Classic is the espresso blend Intelligentsia has roasted in Chicago since 1995, and it's still the lightest espresso the roaster makes.

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Last updated November 6, 2026. Confirm current stock and price at the roaster.

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What the roaster tells us.

Black Cat Classic is the espresso blend Intelligentsia has roasted in Chicago since 1995, and it’s still the lightest espresso the roaster makes. The current version combines a semi-washed coffee from Carmo de Minas, Brazil, with washed coffee from smallholder farms in Cauca, Colombia, grown at 1,600 to 1,900 meters. Intelligentsia lists notes of cherry, cola and orange and calls the shot syrupy and sweet with lively fruit acidity. It’s built for people who want sweetness and acidity in balance in a straight shot, and 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

Brazil, Carmo de Minas, Colombia, Cauca

RoasterIntelligentsia

OriginBrazil, Carmo de Minas, Colombia, Cauca

ProcessSemi-washed, Washed

RoastMedium-light

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

Brazil, Carmo de Minas, Colombia, Cauca

Step 02 · ProcessProcessed

Semi-washed, Washed

Step 03 · RoastRoasted

Medium-light

Before you buy

Is it right for you?

You’ll like it if…

You enjoy bright, fruity coffees.
You brew pour-over or drip and like a lighter body.
You make espresso or milk drinks at home.

Maybe skip it if…

You want a dark, roasty, classic cup.

The details

Variety: Catuai, Caturra
Altitude: 1,600 to 1,900 m (Colombia component)
Producer or farm: Smallholders in Cauca and Carmo de Minas
Certifications: Direct Trade
Bag size: 12 oz bag
Price: $17.50
Price per ounce: $1.46 per oz

From the roaster’s listing, checked November 4, 2026. Prices change.

About this blend

This is a blend of coffees from Colombia and Brazil. 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	96°C / 205°F	2:30–3:30
French press	30 g	500 g	Coarse	96°C / 205°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.

Your dose18 g

In18g

Out36g

Time25–30s

Compare

Similar coffees from other roasters

Coffee	Roast	Origin	Tasting notes
Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso This coffee	Medium-light	Brazil, Carmo de Minas, Colombia, Cauca	Cherry, cola, orange
Volcanica Coffee Ethiopian Yirgacheffe	Medium-light	Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia	Lemon, blueberry, blackberry
Coffee By Design Maine Wild Blueberry	Light-medium	South America	Blueberry, sweet, cream
Kafiex Roasters Jhoan Vergara Las Flores Pink Bourbon Thermal Shock	Light	Acevedo, Huila, Colombia	Froot Loops, candied lemon drop, green apple

Questions

Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso FAQ

What does Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso taste like?

Intelligentsia lists tasting notes of cherry, cola and orange. It's a medium-light roast.

Where does Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso come from?

It's a blend of coffees from Brazil, Carmo de Minas, Colombia, Cauca. The producer is Smallholders in Cauca and Carmo de Minas. It was grown at 1,600 to 1,900 m (Colombia component).

How is Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso processed?

The roaster lists the process as semi-washed, washed. In a washed process, the fruit is removed from the bean before it dries.

Is Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic 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 Black Cat Classic Espresso?

A good starting point is pour-over: 15 g of coffee to 250 g of water, medium-fine grind, water at 96°C / 205°F, about 2:30–3:30. Adjust to taste.

Where can I buy Intelligentsia Black Cat Classic Espresso?

You can buy it from Intelligentsia. Prices and availability change, so check the current listing before you order.

Same roaster