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Who Makes The
BEST COFFEE
Roaster profile

Intelligentsia Coffee

Chicago, Illinois, United States
Editorial profile

Founded in 1995 by Doug Zell and Emily Mange, Intelligentsia Coffee is a Chicago-based specialty roaster widely recognized as a pioneer of the third-wave coffee movement. The company operates its own roasting facilities and is known for its commitment to direct trade, sourcing in-season, single-origin coffees through long-term relationships with growers. Today, the brand maintains a national presence with cafes and training labs across several major U.S. cities.

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Intelligentsia Coffee; not a documentary photograph
Our observation

This profile records only what we or outside reviewers have documented. Availability changes constantly — a coffee listed here is 'available' only if its record was recently verified. Founding dates, claims and marketing language belong to the roaster, not to us.

Coffees in our index

Documented coffees from Intelligentsia Coffee.

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