Black Cat Classic Espresso
- 2016
- Written by : The Black Cat Team
Black Cat Classic is our flagship espresso blend and has been a staple in our line since the day we opened back in 1995. Designed to be a manifestation of Intelligentsia’s style and substance, its hallmarks are sweetness, cleanliness, and complexity.
Upon initial visual inspection, a buoyant, thick crema the color of chocolate and hazelnut rests atop a reddish-black stout-like body. The blend is intricate enough to stand alone, pulling balanced, full-bodied shots rife with caramel and candy-sweetness, topped by clean red fruit and mild citrus flavors. The experience expands the more is sipped, and drinkers will notice that the final sips of a shot are the sweetest and most syrupy. However, it is versatile enough to cut through steamed milk in a latte or perfectly balance a traditional cappuccino. Black Cat in a macchiato provides an elegant structure and provides an appropriate decadence for any affogato.
It’s no accident that our signature espresso is our most popular coffee. Once crafted as a 2-part blend of dry and wet process Brazilian coffee, it has since evolved and become more refined – we now carefully source and purchase pulped natural Brazilian coffees to form a creamy thick base layer and a caramelized sweet center with plenty of body. Added to the mix is a fully washed selection from one of our Direct Trade partnerships in Latin America, which rotates seasonally based on availability and flavor. This provides the high-notes: a mild citric acidity with clean red fruit flavor and a hint of a sparkling mouthfeel.
Tested regularly by our education and quality control teams, Black Cat Classic is an ongoing project that is subject to close inspection throughout its lifespan. Ultimately, after all, espresso is simply a form of brewing coffee… and we believe unequivocally that the best coffees will undoubtedly make the best espressos. We’re not claiming perfection: we’re pursuing it. Black Cat is a thrilling chase that begins with thoughtful cultivation, discerning sourcing, artisanal roasting, methodical research and development, and ends with nothing short of complete satisfaction.
