CHICAGO, IL, Nov 18, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Intelligentsia Coffee celebrates receiving three major awards in the past three months for their accomplishments as gourmet coffee roasters.

In August 2008, Intelligentsia was named "A Best U.S. Coffee Bar" by Food & Wine. In September 2008, Citysearch.com dubbed Intelligentsia "Los Angeles - Best Coffee." Then in October 2008, Intelligentsia's Hacienda La Esmeralda was revered as "One of the World's Nine Best Coffees" by Saveur.

When the editors of Food & Wine's 30th Anniversary edition named Intelligentsia as one of the Best U.S. Coffee Bars, author Nick Pandolfi stated, "Low-key Intelligentsia is one of the most respected coffee roasters in the country. Coffee buyer Geoff Watts, a pioneer in the direct-trade coffee movement when Intelligentsia launched in 1995, was among the first to seek individual growers, cutting out middlemen."

Citysearch.com named Intelligentsia as the Audience & Editorial winner of "Los Angeles - Best Coffee 2008." Sarah Columbo comments in her editorial review, "Silver Lake locals who snub chains and welcome sophisticated culinary experiences jibe with this eco-friendly, top-quality coffeehouse... well-versed baristas recall the fervor of sommeliers, serving brewed beans purchased from growers all over the world, including Kenya, Peru, Columbia, El Salvador and Bolivia."

Saveur Magazine named Intelligentsia's Hacienda La Esmeralda as one of the nine best coffees in the world. Author Katherine Cancila says, "In 2004, this estate rose to fame after one of its coffees -- a rare heirloom varietal of arabica, called geisha -- won the Best of Panama coffee competition, causing buyers to swoon. With a heady nose of chocolate and berries and a bright flavor reminiscent of oolong teas, Esmeralda has a profile that doesn't match the mild one typical of Central American coffees. Indeed, the geisha plant is believed to have originated in Ethiopia and been transplanted later to Costa Rica and Panama, where it grows today."

To produce the best coffee, Intelligentsia focuses on every coffee bean roaster, mastering skilled timing and machine operation. Effective coffee bean roasting unlocks the potential flavors lying dormant within green beans to achieve a balanced, delicate cup of coffee showcasing all its characteristics and subtle nuances. Intelligentsia Coffee is an intelligent, tasteful combination of art and science.

Learn more about Intelligentsia coffee bean roasters and their world famous, award-winning coffees at IntelligentsiaCoffee.com.

Corporate Contact Info:
Marc Johnson
Intelligentsia Coffee, Inc.
Email Contact
312.521.7965