Intelligentsia Coffee Reviews
Chicago, Illinois
4.49(29)
All Reviews(29)
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
5.00 - Average
5.00 - Aroma
4.00 - Value
5.00 - Finish
5.00 - Flavor
5.00 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
5.00 - Quality
The best coffee I had in 2022. I had this twice in the Intelligentsia store in Chicago. I doubt this is one you'll see in stock a lot but I hope it's available year to year. Might be worth setting a Google alert.
I think these are remarkable beans, carefully treated, then perfectly roasted by a great roaster. Mossto anaerobic means the coffee seed was submerged in its fruit pulped, and then the juice was expelled in a container for more than 3 days.
How to describe the result - there is a lot going on, and it's all amazing. The first thing you notice, on the nose and first sip is the floral notes, paired with a strong Earl Grey tea type scent. The acidity is crisp and just right through, a kind of pineapple lime, and then the finish is a combination of all of it, and lingers a long time.Cupping Method:2x pourover in Chicago Intelligentsia, summer 2022
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
5.00 - Average
5.00 - Aroma
5.00 - Value
4.50 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
This is the best organic value coffee I've had. On those nose, I got cherry cola and champagne - that effervescence has really been there for me. This made brilliant pourover. Balanced, smooth, just the right amount of acidity. If I had a cafe where I had to serve one light roast all the time, this one might be it. Intelligentsia puts out remarkable quality at the scale they operate at.Cupping Method:Chemex pourover, 207 F
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
5.00 - Average
4.50 - Finish
5.00 - Flavor
5.00 - Acidity
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.
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Victoria S-C829 roasts rated, avg score of 4.34
5.00 - Average
Ted recently bought three good espresso and while they were all good this one I liked the best. -
Finn S26 roasts rated, avg score of 4.62
5.00 - Average
Day 3 from the Cometeer Advent Calendar is a 5!
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
5.00 - Average
4.50 - Aroma
5.00 - Finish
5.00 - Flavor
5.00 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
A truly delicious Ethiopian with some twists on the usual character. You definitely get the florals here in the form of a bergamot/earl grey base. I got a little bit of peach, and then strawberry/raspberry with a touch of lactic character. No funk at all and a very clean finish.Cupping Method:At Intelligensia in Watertown. They said 18-1, 209 off the boil.
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
5.00 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
4.50 - Value
5.00 - Finish
5.00 - Flavor
5.00 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
A spectacular gesha that's a little bit different from the usual. Less fruity and more floral. The platform is distinctly earl grey, with a very subtle herbal/pine hint (I'm OK with Intelligentsia's choice of juniper to describe it). There's also a touch of sweet tropical fruit, like a ripe pineapple.
It's incredibly smooth - not a hint of bitterness, and has a super clean finish. It's very easy to drink a whole cup of this without thinking about it.Cupping Method:At Intelligentsia in Watertown, MA
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Haley Grant2 roasts rated, avg score of 5.00
5.00 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
5.00 - Value
4.00 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
3.00 - Acidity
4.00 - Balance
Love this coffee! very savory taste -
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
4.50 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
4.50 - Balance
A very well balanced, geisha that is dominated by a sweet orange note. It has a bright acidity that's something like a cranberry and is pretty smooth and approachable.Cupping Method:Pourover at Intelligentsia in Watertown, MA
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
4.50 - Value
4.50 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
5.00 - Acidity
4.50 - Balance
This is quite good cold brew type coffee (not totally clear how it's made) that's the style I like it and make it. It's very fruity with a great acidity that's bright red berries. It has natural sweetness, and a little bit of chocolate at the front of the palate.
I will say that there's a lot of people who like darker roasts who probably won't be totally into this.Cupping Method:I bought this can at Intelligentsia in Watertown, MA but didn't drink it for a few weeks.
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
4.50 - Aroma
4.50 - Value
4.50 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
4.50 - Balance
I've been testing out/working with 4 espresso roasts, and this is a pretty darn good one. A really nice medium roast with balanced acidity. Very good cafe roast. A medium crema in size and fluffiness. Caramel notes, slight nuttiness, and dark berry/citrus acidity.
A good versatile espresso.Cupping Method:Espresso, Americano (hot an iced), made lattes for my wife. Worked very well pulled at 95C, 19 grams
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Victoria S-C
829 roasts rated, avg score of 4.34
4.50 - Average
Really good! Tamarind, pineapple notes. -
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
4.00 - Value
4.00 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
4.50 - Balance
This Ethiopian natural offers clean, fruit-forward notes of strawberry and red grape, with a smooth texture and a touch of funk for complexity. A good deal of natural sweetness. The hibiscus note mentioned by the roaster didn't show up for me and that would have pushed it to 5 stars.
But overall fhe cup remained balanced and refined. Among this season's many Ethiopian naturals, it stands out for its clarity and polish but a few others have had a bit bright acidity and more complexity.Cupping Method:Pourover at Intelligentsia in Watertown, MA
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Victoria S-C
829 roasts rated, avg score of 4.34
4.50 - Average
Great! Only complaint was it seemed small and I wanted more! -
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
4.50 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
4.50 - Balance
Very good light roast Peruvian. Fruity with natural sweetness. Juicy grape is very forward.Cupping Method:Pourover at Intelligentsia Millennium Park
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
4.50 - Aroma
4.50 - Value
4.50 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
This coffee is the first coffee I can remember specifically identified as being exclusively the Castillo variety. I researched Castillo to try to take a scientific approach here.
The Castillo varietal is a type of Arabica coffee that was developed and is widely grown in Colombia. Its taste profile can vary depending on the specific growing conditions, processing methods, and roasting techniques. However, in general, the Castillo varietal is known for its clean, sweet, and bright acidity, which is characteristic of many Colombian coffees.
Tasting notes often include flavors of red fruits, citrus, and sugar cane. It is also known for its medium body and smooth mouthfeel. Some coffee enthusiasts may also detect subtle nutty or chocolatey undertones, depending on how it is brewed.
I find this aligned pretty closely, and nicely within the frame of traditional Colombian coffee. Chocolately, smooth, very fruity, naturally sweet. Very much get the sugar cane, including an acidity that's very close to the raw sugar cane I'd chew as a kid when it was a little bit less ripe. If anything I'd want just a touch more acidity.Cupping Method:Pourover at Intelligentsia Chicago coffee shop, made using Hario v60 with PourReady system.
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
4.50 - Aroma
4.00 - Flavor
4.50 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
Super smooth Ethiopian with great fruit characteristics. I get a blood orange and perhaps blueberry. I think it has a touch of umami at the front of the palate which is the slightest negative and keeps me from giving it 5 stars. Plateform is somewhere in between a rich dark tea and milk chocolate.Cupping Method:At an Intelligentsia in Chicago. They used a pour steady into Hario v60s.
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
No fireworks but so smooth and easy to drink with a nice acidity. Definitely get a raisin/grape and orange. Somewhere between caramel and a black tea platform. Like it a lot.Cupping Method:Pourover at Intelligentsia Watertown
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Victoria S-C
829 roasts rated, avg score of 4.34
4.50 - Average
4.50 - Aroma
5.00 - Finish
4.50 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
The first time I tried it I thought it wasnt good, but then I had it on the next day and it was delicious. Not too bitter or dark (I tend to like light roasts). Im so glad I retried it!Cupping Method:Pourover black at home
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
Juicy with very bright acidity and a clean finish. Caramel, blood orange, and red grape were notes me.Cupping Method:Pourover Chemex
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
5.00 - Acidity
Smooth, balanced acidity. Definitely get dark unsweetened chocolate in the best way possible. Makes a wonderful cappuccino.Cupping Method:94-celsius extraction, 1oz pull, La Spaziale A53 Lucca.
Traits: dark chocolate -
Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.50 - Average
My notes are that had Batamba August of 2022 at the Millenium Park Intelligentsia and rated it 4.5 stars. I was running between meetings and didn't take more detailed notes.Cupping Method:Pourover at Intelligentsia Millenium Park
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.00 - Average
4.00 - Finish
4.00 - Flavor
4.00 - Acidity
4.50 - Balance
I'm continue to drink these "alongside" my nephew in LA as we both have Cometeer advents. Intelligentsia Black Cat has a reputation as one of the steadiest, best quality controlled espresso you can find in the mass market. I think this Cometeer pod is good. If anything, it has less of the syrupy/sweet/smooth Cometeer pod mouthfeel. It has solid depth of the chocolate note and is lightly nutty and sweet. It's pretty non-controversial and easy to drink but I think there are more interesting Cometeer pods, and I'd rather have a shot of the Black Cat espresso. That said my nephew loved it and he's more of a regular Cometeer drinker1 -
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.00 - Average
4.00 - Value
4.00 - Finish
4.00 - Flavor
4.00 - Acidity
4.50 - Balance
Smooth, clean roast with black cherry and citrus notes. The brightness is a little bit bit more in a tea note and the fruit is pleasant and clean. While it doesn't pop, it's a solid roast with a mouthfeel that is very pleasant and silky.Cupping Method:Iced at Intelligentsia in Waterfown, MA
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Coffee Yinzer77 roasts rated, avg score of 4.51
4.00 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
3.50 - Value
3.50 - Finish
4.00 - Flavor
3.00 - Acidity
4.00 - Balance
A friend gave me this to try from Intelligentsia Coffee. It is excellent. Good medium body, dried fruit taste but exceptionally naturally sweet. Really enjoyed it. -
Scott Greenaway175 roasts rated, avg score of 4.27
4.00 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
4.00 - Finish
4.50 - Flavor
4.00 - Acidity
5.00 - Balance
Immediate flavor that is remarkably consistent from first sip to finish. Light, well-balanced, with a slight sweetness.Cupping Method:Vietnamese pour over
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Theo Chan, Managing Editor
1853 roasts rated, avg score of 4.31
4.00 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
3.50 - Acidity
Hanging out at Intelligentsia they pulled me a bonus shot of this as alt espresso. Very tasty and fruity in some ways but probably a bit too acidic especially since Id just had a Doppio of Black Cat which is more balanced. -
Joe James
6 roasts rated, avg score of 4.25
3.50 - Average
4.00 - Aroma
4.00 - Value
3.00 - Finish
3.00 - Flavor
4.00 - Acidity
3.50 - Balance
Woody. Maybe because it was stale.
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I'm continue to drink these "alongside" my nephew in LA as we both have Cometeer advents. Intelligentsia Black Cat has a reputation as one of the steadiest, best quality controlled espresso you can find in the mass market. I think this Cometeer pod is good. If anything, it has less of the syrupy/sweet/smooth Cometeer pod mouthfeel. It has solid depth of the chocolate note and is lightly nutty and sweet. It's pretty non-controversial and easy to drink but I think there are more interesting Cometeer pods, and I'd rather have a shot of the Black Cat espresso. That said my nephew loved it and he's more of a regular Cometeer drinker1
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Day 3 from the Cometeer Advent Calendar is a 5!
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This Ethiopian natural offers clean, fruit-forward notes of strawberry and red grape, with a smooth texture and a touch of funk for complexity. A good deal of natural sweetness. The hibiscus note mentioned by the roaster didn't show up for me and that would have pushed it to 5 stars. But overall fhe cup remained balanced and refined. Among this season's many Ethiopian naturals, it stands out for its clarity and polish but a few others have had a bit bright acidity and more complexity.
