Intelligentsia Coffee Review: Is the Hype Real or Just Buzz?
Heads up: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission—at no cost to you. I only recommend what I actually like.
☕ The Basics: What Is Intelligentsia Coffee?
Intelligentsia started in Chicago in 1995 and helped pioneer the whole “third wave coffee” movement—aka, treating coffee like wine: sourcing carefully, roasting lightly, and showing off flavor notes like tangerine blossom and cherry cola.
They work directly with farmers, pay premium prices, and roast beans fresh in multiple U.S. cities.
👃 First Impressions
I went with their House Blend and Black Cat Espresso. The aroma alone is a massive upgrade from your average grocery store bag. You get real complexity—citrus, cocoa, even florals depending on the brew method.
Bonus: their bags reseal well, and there’s a roast date right on the label. Freshness matters.
🔬 Taste Test: Worth the Premium?
| Method | Result |
|---|---|
| Pour Over | Bright, clean, and surprisingly juicy—especially the House Blend. Not bitter at all. |
| French Press | Rich, rounded, with deep cocoa notes. A little less sharp, more cozy. |
| Espresso Shot | Smooth, syrupy, chocolatey—exactly what Black Cat is known for. |
🛠 Who Is This For?
- Coffee drinkers ready to step into the specialty world
- People who like lighter roasts or interesting flavors
- Anyone tired of bitter, flat, or stale brews
If you’re all about bold, smoky, diner-style coffee—this might not be your vibe. But if you want flavor clarity, brightness, and a clean finish, this is a solid place to start.
💸 Is It Worth the Price?
At ~$16–22 a bag, it’s not cheap. But if you break it down:
- Each 12 oz bag = ~20 cups of coffee
- That’s ~$1 per cup vs. $4–6 at a cafe
- You’re paying for freshness, ethically sourced beans, and roast precision
So yeah—absolutely worth it, especially if you care about taste.
🔗 Try It for Yourself
I recommend starting with the House Blend or Frequency Blend if you’re new to light roasts.
👉 Click here to shop Intelligentsia Coffee
I personally use it 2–3 times a week when I want something “cleaner” than my usual dark roast fallback. Worth every cent.
🎯 Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you want coffee that tastes like it came from a fancy café—and you’re ready to ditch the bitterness—yes, you should absolutely try Intelligentsia.
Just make sure you:
- Brew with filtered water
- Use a good burr grinder (even a $40 one helps)
- Don’t let it sit on the burner for 2 hours (I see you, Dad)
👉 Order Intelligentsia Here and taste the difference
🛠 Bonus: How to Brew It Best
I’ll drop a full brew guide soon, but if you want to make your Intelligentsia sing:
- Use a 16:1 water to coffee ratio (25g coffee to 400g water)
- Brew between 195–205°F
- Use a burr grinder, not a blade grinder