Intelligentsia Direct Trade Black Cat Classic Espresso Roast Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee -12oz

It appears old. The beans are a light brown instead of a new batch of rich dark brown!

Too bright and acidic to make proper espresso drinks. I wanted coffee not lemonade.

Got my settings dialed in and this coffee is automatic. Great espresso every time. Flavor is nice, so is texture.

I have no doubt that the coffee is outstanding, based on the decades of people enjoying it. I am just having hard time dialing through the sourness, I think I am approaching the point when I can distinguish the chocolate and cherry, but sour taste is still a little overwhelming. My wife drinks your decaf espresso, and I find it the best tasting one I have ever tried

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Used to be a big fan of Black Cat; still have the cat cup. Just tried both your Analog (quite bright) and your Sublunar (less so). Brightness seems to be a national trend unlike in Italy and is not my style. I have high end gear, so it's not my pull, which I tried every which way. 2 stars just for freshness, not depth.

MY favorite espresso ever - I have tried others from across the world and keep coming back to Black Cat. Thank you!!

This espresso was very good. It was on the more sour side of espressos that I’ve tasted.

Great product. It has been my go to for years. Very consistent.

Too acidic for my taste. Even with the extraction well calibrated on my espresso machine.

I’ve been buying Black Cat Espresso in the 5 lb bag about every three months, and it’s become one of those rare constants I never second-guess. What keeps me coming back is the consistency. Shot after shot, bag after bag, it just delivers. Dialing it in is straightforward, and once you’re there, it stays locked. That reliability matters, especially when you’re pulling espresso daily and don’t want surprises. Flavor-wise, it hits a really balanced sweet spot. There’s a rich, chocolate-forward base with just enough brightness to keep it lively without drifting into overly acidic territory. It’s smooth, approachable, and versatile. Great on its own, but it also holds up really well in milk drinks without getting lost. Buying in bulk has worked out perfectly. The freshness holds up over time if you store it right, and it’s one less thing to think about in the routine. All in, it’s just a dependable, well-crafted espresso that delivers every time.

Nice and sweet. I got tired of the traditional somewhat bitter espresso. It was great with my super automatic machine. Nice and sweet and has been a nice change each morning

This is a very tasty bean espresso roast. It light up my face with a big smile 😃.

This was pulled using 20g in a 2oz shot for lattes. This is a good, solid espresso with no frills. Everyone that had it liked it. I enjoyed the fruitier notes of it and used a chocolate syrup at one point to pull out the taste of cola. If you want a solid espresso that will go into every drink without worrying about flavors crashing, or you are looking for a forgiving go to espresso, I'd highly recommend this one.

The roast date is always less than 7 days. I’ve tried a lot of beans and this is hands down the best. Any intelligentsia roast is high quality. I get the 5lb bag every month or so and it’s well worth it.

Not a snob and I float from brand to brand. This was the worst coffee I have ever had. It wasn’t past date. I tried the whole bag. This was god awful.

I love it! It has such a smooth flavor for lattes. Would definitely recommend trying

My go to espresso. Nice and bold - never disappoints. That is how prefer my espresso. It takes you right to that edge of boldness without the bitter finish. I love to top it off with a bit of lemon rind! Reminds me of what I enjoyed in Italy!

As described! Toasted marshmallow yum undertones are perfection!

Dependable and excellent espresso. Works perfectly in my Samremo You single group machine. Makes a great Americano in the morning. It has just enough acidity to be pleasant without any sourness.

Essential beans for your breville. Straight double espresso shots are creamy and complex.