intelligentsiacoffee

[hyper_dermic]

I wanted to see how my homeroasts are stacking up against the big-boys with the Probats n' all dat'.

I placed a modest order with Intelligentsia for 1/2 lb of Anjilanaka, Direct Trade Organic Bolivia Micro-Lot: Angelita.

and 1/2 lb of Ethiopia Yirgacheffe.

Order was placed online on sunday, Roasted on Monday, Put in the mail on monday.
Order recieved on Wed.
Upon opening the front door, my enclosed porch was filled with the amazing smell of fresh roasted coffee. Now thats a good sign!

This morning, i opened the bag of Bolivia Angelita up. The beans were roasted to city+ it seems (to my untrained eye anyways) Very even in color, and the dry aroma was just fantastic!

I loaded up my Aeropress with a double, then added enough H20 to the final product to make a FULL american sized mug of coffee.

inital impressions....
Man, these guys sure can roast a fine cup of coffee!!
Initially, the pallet is presented with a nice fruity acidity, then the mouth seems coated with a chocolately velvet texture, finally finishes up with a darker/sweeter finish than hangs around just long enough to have you reaching for more.
I really couldnt ask for more from a cup, it had all the qualities i look for.

Ive only had 1 cup, but im quite impressed. I would not hesitate to order from them again.
I will probably pick up some of their Idido Misty Valley Yirg next.. i just ordered 5lbs of unroasted Misty Valley from Coffee Bean Corral, its good to have a comparison point to see how the home roasts are going!
(the Misty Valley got some really good reviews, so i was glad to find some greens available!)

I'll post more once ive gone through the rest...

-hyp

[novasurf]

The team of folks at Intelli are fantastic. You cannot go wrong with their coffee. I'm glad your wrote about them. They're are planning on opening several shops on the West Coast. I will be visiting with them in early May. I will keep you posted.

[stashu]

In usually stop by their Broadway shop once every couple of weeks for some fresh Black Cat and I've settled into their Italian roast for everyday drip coffee.

[hyper_dermic]

Ive actually been toying with the idea of a coffee shop recently..
They seem like the sort of business to model. Keepin it real, and making $$ at the same time!

I still have much homework to do, and at this point, its still a pipe dream... but you never know.

-hyp

The team of folks at Intelli are fantastic. You cannot go wrong with their coffee. I'm glad your wrote about them. They're are planning on opening several shops on the West Coast. I will be visiting with them in early May. I will keep you posted.

[novasurf]

Spent 4 hours at their roastery in early May. The main folks were at the SCAA conference, I got to hang with the real roasters who get it done. Clover shots. Bean inspection. May their Probats last forever.

[MrJerry]

Ive actually been toying with the idea of a coffee shop recently..
They seem like the sort of business to model. Keepin it real, and making $$ at the same time!

I still have much homework to do, and at this point, its still a pipe dream... but you never know.

-hyp

I had the same feeling several years ago! I got out of the cigar biz (selling off my interest in the four cigar factories I owned) and went into the coffee biz.

I did all my homework (that took the better part of a year) and came up with a a couple million dollars to get me started. Get ready for a great ride!