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Cherrybook.
Intelligentsia Coffee

Ethiopia Alaka Natural

NaturalDark

Cherrybook Index

57sparse

Evidence-of-quality score, not a cup score. Sparse signal: 2 of 7 signals on file. Methodology

Price position

$2.30/oz$23.00 for 283g

Typical band for this profile $1.46 to $2.78 (Ethiopia natural single-origin lots (variety unlisted, retail bags); USD listings in stock). Where it sits

Catalog summary

A natural lot from Guji, Ethiopia, not yet indexed (2 of 7 signals on file) and priced inside the typical band for its listed profile.

Based on the listing and catalog evidence

Affiliate link; we may earn a small commission. Price and availability set by the roaster. Disclosure.

Roasts to order · ships in ~3d

Your bag is roasted after you order; expect a short delay before it ships, but it arrives as fresh as the roaster can make it.

“signature blends, roasted to order” source ↗

Save at Intelligentsia CoffeeSave 20% on your first four orders with code: 20OFFFOURAdd more to your order for 10% off

Cherrybook last checked this listing 6 days ago.

Roaster’s notes

blackberry · plum · tangerine

  • Fruit
  • Citrus
Open the flavor wheel

Mapped from the roaster’s tasting notes to the SCA flavor wheel; Cherrybook’s interpretation of the stated notes, not the roaster’s own categorization.

Ethiopia Alaka Natural by Intelligentsia Coffee
Origin
Guji, ET
Producer
—
Farm / Co-op
—
Process
Natural
Altitude
—
Varietals
—
Harvest
—
Weight
283g
Bag price
$23.00
Price / oz
$2.30/oz
Brew
—

from the roaster’s storeread by Cherrybook from the listing“estimated” below = inferred, not stated

Price contextmodeled

A modeled range and current prices for comparable listings.

$2.30/oz

typically $1.46 to $2.78

Where it sits

51 Ethiopia natural single-origin lots (variety unlisted, retail bags); USD listings in stock

typical band this lot

Limited listing details: 78th percentile of 51 Ethiopia natural single-origin lots (variety unlisted, retail bags); USD listings in stock right now.

Some variety, process or origin details are missing. This comparison does not qualify the coffee for a value recommendation.

What moves this price

cheaper×1.00pricier
  • Roaster brand and sourcing×1.04
  • Dark roast×0.96
  • Variety not listed×0.96
  • Natural process×1.03
How this estimate works

A statistical model, refit weekly across the in-stock catalog, estimates what a coffee with these listed attributes typically sells for per ounce. Each multiplier compares one trait against the average lot in this market; the roaster line covers brand and sourcing together, which this model cannot separate. Bag size is shown separately, priced at the rate observed across sizes of the same coffee, because it says nothing about the coffee itself. The distribution counts every in-stock listing in the comparison group, with at least 15 listings from three roasters and no roaster supplying more than 60% of it. Decaf, blends, variety segments, processing families and bag formats stay separate. Origin, roast and selling currency can broaden as the group label indicates. Prices are converted to USD per ounce; shipping and differences in tax treatment are not adjusted. The model reads listed attributes only: the quality of the specific lot in the bag is not observable, so a price above the typical band is not evidence of overpricing.

Some listing details are missing or have limited model coverage, so the typical band shown is wider than usual.

Not listed by the roaster: variety, altitude

Cherrybook Index (CBI)

Evidence-of-quality score, not a cup score. Methodology

57

Sparse signal

Confidence2 of 7 signals on file

Score is heavily shrunk toward 50; treat as a placeholder until more sources arrive.

How confidence affects the score

Coverage measures signal availability, not cup quality. This coffee has 23% of the signal universe on file. Missing sources are dropped, remaining weights are renormalized, and the result is shrunk toward a neutral 50 baseline by 43% so one thin signal cannot carry the score on its own.

The math on file: renormalized base 65.0 shrunk to 58.6 + bonuses = 57.

Missing: SCA grade, Coffee Review, YouTube reviews, On-shop ratings, Cherrybook ratings

  • Reddit sentiment
    Sentiment across specialty-coffee discussion
    72/ 78% weight
  • Roaster transparency
    Producer / farm / lot disclosure depth
    40/ 22% weight

Bonuses applied

  • Sprudge press coverage
    This roaster has been featured by Sprudge
    +2
  • Editorial coverage cluster
    This roaster has 3+ recent editorial mentions across trade press
    +1
  • Stale-stock demotion
    This lot has been listed in stock for an extended time; specialty coffee freshness degrades over weeks
    +-5

Sensory profileestimated

Acidity
4
Body
4
Sweetness
4
Balance
3
Clean
3

Comps & alternatives

Tasting flight

Compare this with three more lots selected from the catalog.

Brew a set side-by-side. The picks vary along axes that pair with this lot; origin, process, roast, or producer; so you learn the difference, not just drink four good cups.

Build the flight

Reference · About the varietal & origin

About Intelligentsia Coffee

Community reputation · Reddit

Well-regarded· sentiment 72/100

Two Reddit contributions give Intelligentsia Coffee a positive but qualified picture. One commenter praised the brews at a Chicago location. A home brewer found older Intelligentsia beans good but slightly ashy when steeped too long.

Chicago brewshome brewingroast character
Threads cited (2)

Press · Sprudge

On YouTube

Watch the reviews

11 videos

About this coffeeShop tour

Intelligentsia Coffee Review | Hunter Pence

Lets Get Lexi (Alexis Pence)

Watch on YouTube

Cherrybook summary of the video

The video features a visit to an Intelligentsia Coffee location, highlighting the shop's atmosphere and the service provided by the baristas. The reviewers sample various drinks, including coffee and chai, and share their positive impressions of the quality and the overall experience.

What the reviewer said

From Lets Get Lexi (Alexis Pence), discussing Ethiopia Alaka Natural:

“I don't know if you've ever really rated a chai before. Oh no, but this is good.”
“10 out of 10 this iced chai.”

Tasting notes mentioned: chai

Explore the videos

Videos by their credited creators. Playing a video connects to YouTube. Privacy

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