Intelligentsia Coffee
Ethiopia Washed Buku Organic

Roaster Location: Flag of United States Chicago, Illinois
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(1)

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Roast Level: Light
Bean Source Country: Ethiopia
Bean Source Region: Oromia
Varietal: Heirloom
Process: Washed
Organic

Reviews(1)

Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(1)

1 rating
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Latest Reviews and Tasting Notes

  • Avatar
    Theo Chan, Managing Editor

    1471 roasts rated, avg score of 4.30

    Rated 5 stars out of 5

    5.00 - Average

    Rated 4.5 stars out of 5

    4.50 - Finish

    Rated 5 stars out of 5

    5.00 - Flavor

    Rated 5 stars out of 5

    5.00 - Acidity

    Rated 4.5 stars out of 5

    4.50 - Balance

    Today I had a late-in-the-day cup Intelligentsia Coffee's Ethiopia Washed Buku Organic at Life Alive in Harvard Square, Cambridge, and it was awesome.

    Honestly, Intelligentsia is at the scale where I usually see roasters fall on their face...but every time I have a cup, it's somewhere between excellent and inch-perfect.

    This was pretty close to perfect.

    This coffee roast had incredibly bright strawberry iced tea notes that immediately caught my attention. There was a lovely peachy quality to it, complemented by a vibrant acidity that made each sip refreshing and lively.

    Before I even checked the photo of the bag, I had already jotted down hints of citrus and raspberry in my notes. These flavors came through beautifully, showcasing the complexity of the coffee. The smooth, honey-like mouthfeel added a delightful richness, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. The finish was long and fruity, leaving a pleasant lingering taste.

    Cupping Method:Life Alive's new pour-over option really elevates the coffee experience, and this particular brew was a perfect example of how a well-prepared coffee can shine. I don't know how the barista made it since I was dealing with my kids but it looked like a metal Clever setup.

    7 months ago·See more from Theo

More Details

Roast Level: Light
Light roast coffee is a delicately roasted coffee that retains more of the beans' natural flavors and characteristics. Light-roasted coffees have bright acidity, complex fruit, and floral notes. Light roast coffee does not have less caffeine than darker roasts because caffeine levels remain stable during roasting.
Bean Source Country: Ethiopia
Widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia boasts diverse and complex flavors, from bright, floral, and citrusy in Yirgacheffe to wine-like and berry-toned in Sidama. The country's heirloom varieties, combined with unique processing methods, make Ethiopian coffee truly distinctive and sought-after by enthusiasts worldwide.
Bean Source Region: Oromia
Coffee from Ethiopia's Oromia region, encompassing famed areas like Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Limu, is celebrated for its exceptional Arabica beans. Known for their complex flavor profiles, these coffees blend floral and fruity notes, often featuring hints of citrus, jasmine, and bergamot, coupled with bright acidity and a light to medium body. The beans' quality is greatly influenced by Oromia's high altitude (1,500 to 2,200 meters), fertile soil, and favorable climate, which collectively slow the maturation process, resulting in a uniquely balanced and nuanced cup.
Organic
Organic coffee is produced without synthetic chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers. Instead, organic coffee farmers rely on natural and sustainable agricultural practices like crop rotation, composting, and biological pest control. To be labeled as organic, coffee must meet strict regulations and certification criteria set by governing bodies, such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the European Union (EU). Organic coffee not only supports environmental sustainability but may also offer health benefits, as it contains fewer chemical residues than conventionally grown coffee.

Best Rated Roasts of Intelligentsia Coffee

Intelligentsia Coffee is a coffee roaster from Chicago, IL United States. We have 34 cataloged roasts with 24 total reviews with a score of 4.54.

International Rank: #7 out of 1130
Name Roast Level Bean Source
Rated 4.75 stars out of 5

4.75(2)

LightEthiopia
Rated 4.75 stars out of 5

4.75(2)

MediumInternational Blend
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(1)

DarkInternational Blend
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(1)

LightGuatemala
Rated 5 stars out of 5

5.00(1)

LightEthiopia

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