Is Black Cat a dark or light roast?

It is sold as a light roast. Expect fruit-forward sweetness and noticeable acidity rather than smoky, chocolate-heavy flavor.

Does it work in a drip machine or pour-over?

Yes. It is a whole-bean blend that brews well as filter coffee, though the cherry and orange notes come through most clearly as espresso.

Yes. It is sold as whole bean, so you need a burr grinder to use it, and a consistent grind matters for pulling good espresso shots.

How should I store it?

Keep the beans in an airtight container away from light and heat, and grind just before brewing. The sweetness fades once the bag has been open a while.

Is it good for lattes and cappuccinos?

Yes. The syrupy sweetness holds up against milk, which is why many buyers use it as their everyday milk-drink espresso.

How does it compare with darker espresso blends?

It is brighter and sweeter, with less roast and chocolate character. Drinkers who like bold, smoky shots may find it too acidic.

Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Premium Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee

Best price now

$14.99at WalmartChecked Nov 9

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Premium Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee

Best price now

$14.99at WalmartChecked Nov 9

Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

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Price facts

Last seen at $14.99 at Walmart on Nov 9.

Our take on the Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Premium Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee

Black Cat Espresso is Intelligentsia's flagship espresso blend, sold as whole bean in a 12 oz bag and roasted light. It is built around sweetness and clarity, with cherry, cola and orange notes, and it has been in the line since the company opened in 1995. It suits espresso drinkers who want a bright, sweet shot rather than a dark, smoky one, and it also works in milk drinks. Against darker traditional espresso blends it trades roast depth and chocolate for fruit and clean finish, which some drinkers love and others find too acidic.

Best forEspresso drinkers who like bright, sweet shotsMilk drinks like lattes and cappuccinosPour-over and drip brewingDrinkers moving away from dark, smoky roasts

Pros

Sweet, clean cup with cherry, cola and orange notes
Long-running flagship blend with a consistent profile
Whole bean keeps the roast fresh until grinding
Works as espresso and in milk drinks
Light roast keeps fruit and acidity forward

Cons

Light roast can taste sharp or sour to dark-roast fans
Needs a good grinder and dialing in to pull well
Whole bean only, so a grinder is required
Sweetness fades if the bag sits open too long

Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Premium Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee prices at every store

WalmartNew
In stock
$14.99Checked Nov 9
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What reviewers say

4.5 / 5221 ratings

Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 221 ratings, buyers mostly praise the sweet, clean flavor and its reliability as an everyday espresso. The main complaints come from drinkers who find it too bright or acidic for their taste.

What people mention

FlavorPraisedBuyers describe a sweet, syrupy cup with cherry and citrus notes and little bitterness.
AcidityMixedSome drinkers find the light roast bright to the point of sourness, especially as straight espresso.
ConsistencyPraisedRepeat buyers say the blend tastes the same from bag to bag.
Milk drinksPraisedOwners report the sweetness holds up in lattes and cappuccinos.
Dialing inCriticisedSome find it less forgiving to grind and brew than darker espresso blends.

About the Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Premium Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee

Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso is a whole bean espresso blend. It is the company's flagship espresso and has been in its line since it opened in 1995.

The blend is known for sweetness, cleanliness and complexity. Its flavor notes are cherry, cola and orange, with a syrupy sweet profile.

Flavor: Black Cat Classic Espresso
Flavor notes: Cherry, cola, orange
Form: Whole bean
Roast: Light
Size: 12 oz
Brand: Intelligentsia

Specifications

flavor: Black Cat Classic EspressoSource
color: BlackSource
size: 12 ozSource

Questions and answers

Is Black Cat a dark or light roast?: It is sold as a light roast. Expect fruit-forward sweetness and noticeable acidity rather than smoky, chocolate-heavy flavor.
Does it work in a drip machine or pour-over?: Yes. It is a whole-bean blend that brews well as filter coffee, though the cherry and orange notes come through most clearly as espresso.
Do I need a grinder?: Yes. It is sold as whole bean, so you need a burr grinder to use it, and a consistent grind matters for pulling good espresso shots.
How should I store it?: Keep the beans in an airtight container away from light and heat, and grind just before brewing. The sweetness fades once the bag has been open a while.
Is it good for lattes and cappuccinos?: Yes. The syrupy sweetness holds up against milk, which is why many buyers use it as their everyday milk-drink espresso.
How does it compare with darker espresso blends?: It is brighter and sweeter, with less roast and chocolate character. Drinkers who like bold, smoky shots may find it too acidic.
Where is the Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Premium Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee cheapest?: At Walmart, for $14.99, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso Premium Light Roast Whole Bean Coffee?: Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 221 ratings.