Bright and dazzling, this year’s Borealis Seasonal Blend is a combination of our sweetest coffees from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Burundi. Citrus and berry notes meld together to create a bright flavor, symbolic of the brilliant display of northern lights this time of year. Look for notes of dried cherry, cranberry, and lime to illuminate the coldest winter days.

  • Type Seasonal Blend
  • Country Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya
  • Flavor Profile Caramel + Stone Fruit
  • Variety Ethiopian heirlooms, regional bourbon varieties

The details

  • Country Ethiopia
  • Producer smallholder growers
  • Region Oromia, Guji Zone
  • Elevation Range 1900-2250 m
  • Processing Method Washed
  • Drying Method raised bed sun-dried
  • Harvest November 2022 - Feburary 2023
  • Country Burundi
  • Processing Method Washed
  • Drying Method Raised Bed
  • Direct Trade Partner Since 2015
  • Country Kenya
  • Processing Method Washed
  • Drying Method Raised Bed
  • Harvest Oct - Dec 2022

How To Brew

We recommend starting with a 1:18 coffee-to-water ratio, which provides an excellent total extraction level and maximizes flavor pulled out of the ground coffee. For our blends we recommend either a pour over or a automatic drip home machine. We recommend a grind size 5 or 6 or if you are grinding at home mimic the size of Morton Coarse Kosher Salt.

Recommended Method Automatic Drip

  1. 01.
    Weigh Water 18g of water per 1g of coffee
  2. 02.
    Weigh Coffee 1g of coffee per 18g of water
  3. 03.
    Drop in filter Add filter to equipment
  4. 04.
    Grind Coffee Grind coffee and add to filter
  5. 05.
    Add water Add water to machine reservoir
  6. 06.
    Remove filter Enjoy your coffee!
Image of automatic drip demonstration
    • Image of two growers hugging in field
      Image of two growers hugging in field
    • Image of the sky and mountains landscape
      Image of the sky and mountains landscape
    • Image of growers sorting coffee beans
      Image of growers sorting coffee beans

    Why We're Different

    • Intelligentsia coffee buyers travel year-round working with a network of farmers. From the farm, coffee arrives at the roasting works in Chicago, where coffee professionals cup, grade, and release over 50 single-origins and blends annually.

    • Intelligentsia Direct Trade means partnering with people who obsess about quality as much as we do, and building meaningful relationships with farmers. Today, the Intelligentsia Direct Trade community includes more than 50 partners in 14 countries.

    • A quarter-century of obsession with quality, more than 15 years of sourcing great coffee the right way, and an authoritative point of view on how to elevate coffee make Intelligentsia a trusted partner on your coffee journey.