What Is Blonde Espresso and How Is It Made?

Starbucks adds at least one new beverage to its menu every season, and when that addition is an entirely new blend of coffee, the excitement is palpable. So it’s no surprise that when Starbucks debuted the Blonde Espresso Roast in early 2017, coffee lovers went wild. But what exactly is Blonde Espresso, and how is it made?

Blonde Espresso is a Starbucks coffee blend made with Latin American and East African beans that are roasted for less time than usual, resulting in a mellow, delicate flavor profile. The blend has a citrusy sweetness and a smooth body, making it a popular choice for iced coffee and espresso drinks.

Sounds pretty tasty, doesn’t it? Let’s take a closer look at how Blonde Espresso is made and what makes the blend so special.

What Is Blonde Espresso?

Starbucks coffee shop

Blonde Espresso is Starbucks’ take on a lighter coffee blend. It’s made with lightly roasted beans, so the coffee’s natural sweetness comes through more. Some people describe it as having citrus or chocolate notes. Overall, Blonde Espresso is less bitter and slightly higher in acidity than most dark roast coffees.

Since Blonde Espresso is not as intense as other espressos, it’s a good choice if you’re new to espresso or if you find dark roasts too bitter. It pairs nicely with milk and can be used in all your favorite espresso-based drinks, from lattes to cappuccinos.

And since the flavor doesn’t overwhelm, it’s also delicious as a cold brew or with dairy alternatives that often get lost beneath a bold dark blend.

How Are Blonde Espresso Beans Made?

Starbucks keeps the exact recipe for its blends a secret, but we do know that Blonde Espresso is a mix of Latin American and East African beans. The beans are roasted for a shorter time than traditional dark roast espresso, resulting in a lighter color (thus the name ‘blonde’).

The light roast also contributes to its smooth taste — it allows the beans to retain their natural oils and sweetness, which are often lost in darker roasts. That’s why blonde espresso tastes less bitter than regular espresso but still has the same rich mouthfeel.

Does Blonde Espresso Contain Less Caffeine Than Regular Espresso?

Not at all! In fact, Blonde Espresso has more caffeine content than regular espresso. A single shot of Blonde Espresso has about 85 mg of caffeine, while a shot of regular dark espresso has about 75 mg.

Let’s look at the math: The caffeine content of a brew depends on three factors: the variety of coffee beans, the roast, and the brewing method.

Both regular dark and Blonde Espresso use Latin American beans, and the brewing method is the same (espresso is made by forcing hot water through tightly packed coffee grounds). So the difference in caffeine content must come from the roast.

And indeed, it does. Dark roasted coffee beans tend to break open during the roasting process. This increases the bean volume and causes the beans to lose some caffeine content. On the other hand, lightly roasted beans retain more of their original volume and caffeine.

Consequently, a scoop of dark roast beans has less caffeine than a similar scoop of light roast beans. So, even though Blonde Espresso may taste less intense, it actually has more of a kick than regular espresso.

Blonde Espresso vs. Regular Espresso: What Are the Flavor Differences?

Blonde Espresso is typically less intense than regular espresso. It was created to retain the sweetness of the coffee beans, and, as a result, it has more citrus notes. So the overall flavor profile is mellow with a touch of sweetness. That may be why Blonde Espresso wasn’t so received well when it was first introduced. It was even termed a ‘coffee for coffee haters.’

In contrast, regular espresso has a fuller body with more complex flavor notes. The longer roasting time brings out the beans’ natural bitterness, creating bold, smokey, and cocoa undertones.

It produces the intense cup of coffee that’s beloved by caffeine addicts around the world. So the words that can describe a regular dark espresso would be: strong, rich, and bitter.

This difference in flavor also comes out in espresso-based drinks. Blonde espresso is perfect for cold brews and frappes because of its light and refreshing flavor.

On the other hand, regular espresso is best in drinks like cappuccinos and macchiatos, where its bolder flavor can stand up to milk and other ingredients. However, both types of espresso beans can be used to make delicious drinks. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference.

Where Can You Buy Blonde Espresso?

Starbucks Coffee Shop

If you want to try Blonde Espresso, the best place to get it is at Starbucks. As mentioned earlier, Blonde Espresso is now a permanent menu item at Starbucks locations across the country. You can simply walk into any Starbucks and order a Blonde Espresso shot or drink.

And if you want to make your own Blonde Espresso at home, you can also buy Starbucks Blonde Espresso beans at the retail stores, online (on Amazon), or at your local grocery store.

When you buy from a Starbucks retail store or their website, they give you the option to freshly grind the beans for free. So that’s pretty convenient if you don’t have a coffee grinder at home.

However, we’d also like to add that light-roasted coffee beans aren’t just a Starbucks invention. Many other brands also offer light roast coffee. So if you want to try blonde espresso from a different brand, that’s also an option. One of our favorites is Wink Coffee’s Blonde Espresso (on Amazon).

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