If you are like me, there are times when you want the pick-me-up of an espresso but want something a little lighter. Or maybe you are finding that full-strength espresso is starting to be disagreeable to your stomach.

If either of these scenarios seems familiar to you, then you may want to give blonde espresso a try. This “new” espresso is quickly becoming a favorite of coffee lovers, but many people have never heard of this type of espresso.

In this article, I will take a deep dive into blonde espresso and why you want to try this delicious alternative to your regular shot of espresso.

What is Blonde Espresso?

Blonde espresso might seem very fancy, but in reality, it refers to the level of roasting the coffee beans have been subject to. Blonde espresso is a coffee that has been lightly roasted. The name of the coffee comes from the color of the beans after they have been roasted, which is a light brown or even tan.

The flavor of a lighter roast coffee is just that. You will find that blonde espresso is sweeter, milder, and smoother. Many people also enjoy blonde espresso because it tends to be less acidic, making it easier on your stomach.

Blonde or cinnamon roast beans are not just used for blonde espresso. In fact, light roast beans can be used in many Latin American brewing styles if you are looking for a milder flavor profile.

Remember, espresso is the brewing style and does not necessarily refer to the type of bean.

What is the Difference Between Espresso Roast and Blonde Espresso Roast?

When you are comparing the traditional espresso roast with blonde or light roast beans, there are some distinct differences. Besides the amount of time used to roast the beans, there are profile differences that range from flavor to acidity and smoothness.

If you are new to coffee brewing, it is helpful to understand what roast level actually means. When you are looking at beans, you will find that most note a level of roast that ranges from light to dark and everything in between. This designation refers to the length of time that the beans are roasted and the actual color of the beans after roasting.

Espresso roast is a very dark roast. Espresso roast beans are typically very dark in color and will be very oily. The longer the beans are roasted, the more oils are extracted from the beans.

Blonde or light roast coffee beans are closer in color to their original green beginnings. These beans have been roasted for a minimal amount of time to achieve the desired texture and color. Blonde or light roast beans are not oily and have an almost matte appearance.

When it comes to the flavor of the two different roasts, there is a substantial difference. It is this difference that makes a blonde espresso a good alternative to a traditional espresso.

Espresso roast beans tend to have a more robust and strong flavor. The oils extracted from the beans during the roasting process add to the flavors that can have hints of chocolate, nuts, and smoke. The vibrant notes of an espresso roast bean make it a great complement to drinks that use milk such as cappuccinos and lattes. The bold flavor is kept from getting lost or watered down by the milk.

When used to make espresso, blonde roast beans create a milder and mellow flavor. This roast profile tends to be sweeter and has a bright, light quality. Many people enjoy the blonde roast for their espresso because the flavor profile works well in the summer or for warm afternoons. While there tends to be a sharper “acidic” flavor to blonde roast espresso, the short roasting time actually keeps the acidity low in blonde roast coffees. This means blonde espresso is perfect if you have a sensitive stomach.

Is Blonde Espresso Stronger Than Regular Espresso?

The idea that blonde espresso or regular espresso is stronger really has to do with what your perception of a strong coffee is. While some people may think that the traditional espresso roast is a stronger coffee, others may see the nuanced flavors of the blonde roast to be a stronger, more flavorful coffee.

From a generalized standpoint, most coffee drinkers will tell you that from a flavor perspective, the traditional espresso tends to be a stronger coffee both in terms of flavor, caffeine levels, and consistency.

Does Blonde Espresso Have More Caffeine Than Regular Espresso?

The roasting process plays a large part in the amount of caffeine that is present in a particular coffee. The high heat used to roast coffee will break down the caffeine molecule. The length of the roasting process will typically influence how much caffeine is in your shot of espresso.

Many people love their typical espresso because they want that jolt of caffeine to get their day started. This is a bit of a myth because the extended roasting time for dark and espresso roast coffees reduces the amount of caffeine in the beans. This extended roasting time results in a coffee that has less caffeine.

Blond espresso, because it has not been roasted as long, has a bit more caffeine than darker roast beans. If you are looking for a bit of a caffeine pick-me-up for a slow afternoon, a blonde espresso will give you just a little more caffeine than a traditional dark roast espresso.

Keep in mind that this difference in caffeine content between regular espresso and espresso made from light-roasted beans is really not that substantial. For example, an average shot of dark roast espresso has approximately 63 mg of caffeine, while the same shot of espresso made with a blonde roast bean may have around 75 milligrams of caffeine.

With such a minimal difference between the regular espresso and the blonde espresso, you should weigh your decision more on the flavor profile that you prefer over the amount of caffeine present.

What Does a Blonde Espresso Taste Like?

Blonde espresso is a really interesting experience if you have never tried it before. This lighter coffee, when brewed as espresso, offers you a lighter, brighter shot of espresso.

As with traditional espresso, the flavors that you will experience from a blonde espresso start with the type of bean and its origin. Each bean has its own flavors and will generate a different flavor profile when brewed.

Generally speaking, blonde espresso is a lighter, sweet espresso. The flavors many people note in espresso blend include citrus and floral notes. This roast profile also tends to be smoother and less acidic. This makes a blonde espresso great for iced espresso drinks and an espresso for a warm afternoon. The lower acidity also makes blonde espresso ideal for sensitive stomachs.

The one thing to note about blonde espresso shots is that they do not mix well with a lot of milk. The lighter flavor can be lost or diluted in the milk. If you want to experience the full flavor of a blonde espresso, start by drinking your shot plain before you start adding milk, syrups, or other ingredients.

How Should You Be Drinking Blonde Espresso

Now that you know what a blonde espresso should taste like, you might be curious about the best ways to enjoy this lighter version of classic espresso drinks. Remember, when you want to brew an espresso drink to try with blonde roast beans, the more you add to the shot of espresso, the less noticeable the coffee flavors will be.

• A single or double shot: the best way to experience the flavorful and bright blonde espresso is a straight shot or two. This unaltered option will allow you to enjoy all of the delicate and light flavors that make blonde espresso delightful.
• Americano: The typical Americano is a shot of espresso diluted with hot water. By adding hot water to your blonde espresso shot, you bring more prominence to the light citrus and floral flavors while maintaining the smooth flavor of espresso.
• Macchiato: A macchiato is a single or double shot of espresso with just a small amount of steamed milk. This is a great way to enjoy the full flavor profile of blonde espresso while also enjoying the creaminess of the milk.
• Cappuccino or Latte: We lump these two together because they use more milk than other popular blonde espresso beverages. Blonde espresso can do well with cappuccinos or lattes, given that you make them correctly and do not over-pour the milk. Too much milk in your cappuccino or latte will overpower the delicate flavors of the blonde espresso.

Of course, you can always dress up your favorite blonde espresso drink with flavored syrups and toppings. I recommend sticking with more mild flavors like vanilla syrup or caramel. These flavors will complement the light citrus notes and floral notes without overwhelming the coffee flavor.

While these are my suggestions for how to best enjoy a blonde espresso, the best way is to go with your personal preference. If you do not enjoy a French press, stick with your blonde vanilla latte or even drip machine coffee. The best blonde espresso is the blonde espresso that you enjoy the most.

Is Blonde Espresso For You?

Even though the Starbucks blonde espresso has come on the scene in your local Starbucks, it is really a great option for your home espresso machine. You do not have to change your espresso brewing process when you make a blonde espresso. Just make sure you select a good quality light or blonde roast coffee bean.

For many espresso lovers, the blonde version is a pleasant surprise. While you may not want to have a blonde espresso every day, it does offer a bit of variety to your daily coffee routine. If you are not sure about committing to a full bag of blonde roast beans, head to your local coffee shop or Starbucks and ask for your favorite espresso drink as a blonde. This will give you a good idea if this espresso-style is right for you.

If you have other questions or suggestions about making and enjoying blonde espresso, reach out to me or another Curated Coffee Expert for answers to your specific coffee-making questions.