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Intelligentsia

Specialty coffee company that sources, roasts, and serves premium coffee from around the world.

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Founder
Doug Zell and Emily Mange

Intelligentsia is a specialty coffee company that sources, roasts, and serves premium coffee from around the world. They focus on direct trade relationships with coffee producers and offer freshly roasted coffee through their retail locations, online sales, and subscription services. The company also sells coffee equipment and accessories to complement their coffee offerings.

Founded in 1995 by Doug Zell and Emily Mange in Chicago, Intelligentsia began when the founders moved from San Francisco and couldn't find quality freshly roasted coffee in their new city. Rather than settling for inferior coffee, they decided to create their own solution and established what would become a pioneering force in the specialty coffee industry.

Intelligentsia has had significant impact as a specialty coffee pioneer, helping to elevate coffee quality standards and educate consumers about exceptional coffee. Their direct trade approach supports coffee farmers and promotes sustainable sourcing practices, while their commitment to freshness and quality has influenced the broader specialty coffee movement. The company continues to drive curiosity and empowerment in the coffee industry through their never-ending quest for extraordinary coffee.

Key benefits

  • Freshly Roasted Coffee

    Offers a variety of extraordinary coffees sourced from around the world.

  • Direct Trade

    Ensures quality and ethical sourcing directly from producers.

  • Subscription Services

    Makes it easy to enjoy fresh coffee at home, with customizable deliveries.

Impact model

Intelligentsia creates impact through their direct trade model, which establishes relationships directly with coffee producers rather than going through intermediaries. This approach ensures better prices for farmers and promotes sustainable farming practices while delivering higher quality coffee to consumers.

As pioneers of the specialty coffee industry since 1995, they have helped elevate industry standards and educated consumers about quality coffee. Their focus on sourcing extraordinary coffees from around the world supports farming communities while their subscription and retail services make premium coffee accessible to customers nationwide.

Impact metrics

Fresh Roasted Coffee | Intelligentsia | Illuminating Coffee Thoughtfully sourced, freshly roasted and proudly poured. We work every day to bring you the finest direct trade and in season coffee available. Established in 1995, we are pioneers of the specialty coffee industry and source extraordinary coffees from around the world.

Fresh Roasted Coffee | Intelligentsia | Illuminating Coffee Translation missing: en.general.accessibility.view_accessibility_statement Skip to content We recommend using Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari for a better experience. Open Navigation Close Navigation Intelligentsia Coffee COFFEE Coffee submenu Shop All Coffee GOODS Goods submenu Shop All Coffee SUBSCRIBE LEARN + DO Learn + Do submenu Shop All Coffee OUR APPROACH Our Approach submenu Shop All Coffee LOCATIONS Shop All Coffees Explore the world through coffee Start Here Search Notifications Account login Cart Shop All Coffee Search coffee, etc… Search for coffee, equipment, etc… Search Close search Recommended Searches Suggested Search Close Personalized Recommendations Welcome Back, ....

Frequently asked questions

What does Intelligentsia do?
Intelligentsia is a specialty coffee company that sources, roasts, and serves premium coffee from around the world. They focus on direct trade relationships with coffee producers and offer freshly roasted coffee through their retail locations, online sales, and subscription services. The company also sells coffee equipment and accessories to complement their coffee offerings. Founded in 1995 b…
Where is Intelligentsia based?
Intelligentsia is based in United States.
What sector does Intelligentsia operate in?
Intelligentsia operates in the Sustainable Food & Agriculture sector.
Who founded Intelligentsia?
Doug Zell and Emily Mange

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Founded
1995
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