Intelligentsia Coffee (Chicago)

About

Intelligentsia Coffee, founded in 1995 by Doug Zell and Emily Mange, is a pioneering specialty coffee company based in Chicago. It began as a small café and roastery in the Lakeview neighborhood, where it perfected its signature Black Cat espresso blend using a Probat L12 roaster. Intelligentsia emphasizes sourcing high-quality, unique coffees directly from farmers, ensuring fair prices and fostering long-term relationships. This approach has significantly influenced the specialty coffee landscape in the United States. Today, Intelligentsia operates multiple locations across the U.S., including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Austin. The company is known for its trendy and artisanal coffee shops, offering an elevated coffee experience. Intelligentsia's commitment to quality and innovation extends beyond its coffee bars, with a focus on training and education. Since 2015, it has been part of JDE Peet's, allowing it to expand while maintaining its independent operations. Intelligentsia continues to be a leader in the third-wave coffee movement, celebrating coffee as a seasonal beverage and emphasizing direct trade practices.