Intelligentsia

This blend honors the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, sourced from Guji, Oromo in Ethiopia at 2000–2200 m elevation. The coffee is washed and dried on raised beds, a method that brings clarity to the fruit-forward profile. Expect black cherry, plum, and strawberry notes—a vibrant, approachable cup that reflects Intelligentsia's direct trade partnership (since 2012) and commitment to the Chicago running community.

This Ethiopian washed coffee is specifically formulated to shine in cold formats—whether cold brew or flash-chilled. Raised bed drying preserves the origin's bright, fruit-forward character: caramel sweetness, citrus acidity, and dried apricot depth. The blend delivers consistent, flavorful performance over ice for year-round cold coffee drinkers seeking complexity beyond a standard chilled cup.

Grown by members of the Alaka Farmers Association in Guji, Oromia at 1900–2200 masl, this coffee was processed by METAD at their Hambela Alaka washing station using natural processing on raised beds. The method keeps fruit fully intact during drying, allowing the heirloom varieties and terroir to express themselves distinctly. Expect blackberry, plum, and tangerine notes backed by the complexity that defines exceptional Ethiopian coffee. METAD's 13-year partnership with Intelligentsia and reputation for meticulous attention make this a standout natural-process lot.

From smallholder farmers surrounding the Ayla washing station in Bombe, Sidama, this Ethiopian coffee grows at elevations up to 2,150 meters alongside shade trees and intercropped crops. Washed in fresh Bonora River water and dried on raised beds, the careful processing preserves the region's inherent sweetness and layered character. As espresso, it delivers bright notes of lime zest, black cherry, and ripe stone fruits with impressive clarity. The high elevation and meticulous sorting at the station make this a standout expression of what Sidama can offer.

From the Guji Oromo region of Ethiopia at 2000–2200 m elevation, this coffee comes from smallholder farmers in METAD's Kirite network, a producer renowned for quality and consistency. Washed and dried on raised beds, the process emphasizes the coffee's clarity and brightness. The cup delivers floral aromatics alongside crisp green apple and sweet red currant notes—a refined, heirloom-driven profile that showcases why Ethiopian coffees remain unmatched for their distinctive character.

Fruit Bat is a seasonal espresso blend drawing from Ethiopia and Kenya's high-altitude fruit-growing regions, with this year's selections sourced from Kiambu County, Kenya (1500–1950 m) and Ethiopian origins. Both coffees are washed and dried on raised beds, a method that preserves the bright acidity and complex fruit character these origins naturally express. Expect a sweet, balanced shot with prominent notes of blood orange, black cherry, and black currant—flavors that emerge from careful sourcing rather than forced flavor development. Intelligentsia's direct trade partnership since 2012 ensures consistency and relationship-driven quality in this yearly reimagined blend.

This limited-harvest Anacafe 14 comes from La Tortuga in Marcala, Honduras (1500–1600 m), a Direct Trade farm partnership since 2003 celebrating three decades of quality pursuit. The variety is a natural cross of Catimor and Pacamara, combining disease resistance with distinctive cup complexity. Washed and dried on raised beds, it unfolds with honeydew and lime brightness, floral magnolia, and sweet melon—a nuanced expression of high-altitude Honduran terroir under pine shade.

Grown in Pueblo Nuevo, Estelí at 1,500–1,650 meters elevation by Norman Canales of the third-generation family farm, this washed Pacamara showcases beans notably larger than most coffee varieties. The washed process and patio-plus-raised-bed drying highlight the variety's natural clarity: green apple snap, caramel sweetness, and lemon curd tartness. Intelligentsia has partnered with the Canales family since 2003, following Daniel Canales' historic 2004 Cup of Excellence win with organic coffee—a standard the family has maintained through decades of thoughtful stewardship.

Intelligentsia's annual Summer Solstice celebrates the season with a multi-origin blend sourcing from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Colombia. The Kenyan component comes from Nyeri at 1,800 m elevation, washed and dried on raised beds from the December 2024–March 2025 harvest, sourced through a Direct Trade partnership since 2012. The combination of East African and Colombian terroirs produces an uplifting, layered cup with ripe cherry, juicy orange, and vibrant lime zest—a seasonal standby that balances acidity and fruit-forward character.