Do you enjoy a shot of espresso? Occasionally, you feel coffee is overpowering in taste. If that’s the case for you, consider giving a blonde espresso a try! You may be wondering what a blonde espresso is. If you frequent Starbucks often, chances are you’ve come across this type of blonde espresso before. However, the appeal of espresso extends beyond being featured on the Starbucks menu. Blonde coffee is gaining popularity among coffee enthusiasts globally.
Let’s explore what is blonde espresso together and discover its qualities compared to regular espresso! We’ll also share some tips for brewing a cup of blonde espresso.
What Is Blonde Espresso?
Blonde espresso made with coffee beans roasted to a shade, for a shorter duration. Blonde espresso has a hue and a milder taste profile, with more caffeine content compared to traditional espresso beans.
There is one difference with drip coffee or regular coffee, Blonde Espresso is made with medium compared to standard espresso options. The brief roasting period preserves the bean’s natural taste. Blonde espresso has a combination featuring notes of chocolate, citrus undertones, a touch of caramel, and a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel. The special quality makes Blonde Espresso stand out as the choice, for individuals who appreciate a blend of robustness and sweetness.
Blonde Espresso transforms into a robust blend when blended with velvety steamed milk. It brings out the nuances of flavor in every sip of coffee and creates a delightful symphony for the taste buds! This unique pairing has introduced options like pour-over and flat white drinks, for coffee enthusiasts seeking a milder and more velvety taste experience compared to the intense bitterness.
Blonde Espresso enthusiasts frequently savor the airy essence, in every sip of their coffee while enjoying a blend of tanginess and sweetness, in each cuppa.
Blonde espresso is a novelty that has helped it become increasingly popular and gradually become a trend in the coffee-loving community around the world. It is a great choice for those who don’t like the bitterness of dark roasts. With its light and delicate flavor, blonde espresso works well as a base for other flavored drinks, like lattes.
Blonde Espresso vs Regular Espresso – Understanding the Differences
Blonde espresso contains a bit of caffeine compared to espresso but the disparity in caffeine levels isn’t significant overall for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy both types of espresso and experience similar alertness without noticing a major difference in the caffeine effect between them.
Blonde espresso offers a milder taste profile and nearly the same amount of caffeine as espresso making it an attractive choice, for those seeking a bitter coffee option while still desiring to feel awake and focused.
Here are some key characteristics of a blonde espresso:
- Lighter color: Blonde espresso is a light brown, as opposed to the dark brown typical of traditional espresso, giving it a brighter feel.
- Mild flavor: The coffee offers a lighter flavor than regular espresso, with hints of sweetness, citrus notes, and pleasant floral notes.
- Higher acidity: Blonde espresso has higher acidity, making the flavor bright and fresh, suitable for those who like their coffee with a light taste.
- High caffeine content: Blonde espresso has a caffeine content comparable to traditional espresso, giving a similar feeling of alertness.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between Blonde Espresso vs. Espresso:
| Coffee style | Espresso | Blonde Espresso |
| Roast level | Dark | Light |
| Color | Strong, rich, and bitter | Mild, sweet, and citrusy |
| Acidity | Low | High |
| Caffeine content | High | High |
| Caffeine content | Dark brown | Light brown |
| Smell | Roasted coffee beanswith hints of chocolate and caramel | Floral and fruity with hints of citrus |
Furthermore, dark roast coffee can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from drinking it black for a full-bodied flavor, to mixing it into espresso-based drinks like lattes, or even mixing it with cream for a rich, delicious flavor. Each method offers a unique experience, allowing the drinker to discover more layers of flavor in dark roast coffee.
How to Make Blonde Espresso at Home?
Let’s explore blonde espresso recipes that you can whip up effortlessly in your kitchen! They’re not comparable to the ones you buy from your neighborhood cafe. Also, Blonde espresso costs a lot less when made at home.
Brewing Techniques for Blonde spresso
When you use an Espresso Machine you can prepare both a blonde espresso and a traditional espresso. Below are some suggestions and guidelines, for crafting shots of both varieties.
- Preheat the machine by running hot water through it.
- Fill the filter basket with 18-20 grams of blonde espresso or finely ground regular espresso for a double shot. You can experiment with the amount of blonde espresso to get the most out of its milder flavor.
- Lightly tamp for better extraction. Blonde espresso may require more tamping due to its denser texture.
- Pour about 50-80 ml of hot water (about 200°F or 93°C) into the water chamber.
- Tighten the plunger and pump until the espresso is fully extracted.
However, you should just keep in mind that light roast coffee beans may be a bit more challenging to grind compared to roast beans when using a grinder because of their denser nature.
‘Blonde Vanilla Latte’
If you are looking for a recipe for Blonde Vanilla Latte, we recommend the following simple recipe
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup vanilla syrup
- 2 shots of light roast espresso
- ⅔ cup 2% milk
- 1 cup ice
Instructions:
You can mix the espresso, vanilla syrup, and milk in a mug or glass. Prepare two shots of espresso and carefully pour them over ice.
Is Blonde Espresso Exclusive to Starbucks?
Starbucks was among the adopters of offering espresso to its customers; however, it is not the sole source of this option today. Many small-scale coffee shops and select grocery stores now stock espresso beans as well suiting the preferences of light roast aficionados, with additional choices available.
Starbucks recently launched the Veranda Blonde Roast coffee made from beans known for its chocolate and malty taste profile. You can buy bags of coffee at many supermarkets and in Starbucks stores, you can make a rich blonde coffee at home.
Additionally, You can switch out any beverage that usually calls for a light roast with beans instead at a Starbucks location nearby if you prefer a sweeter and less bitter Americano, Cappuccino, or Iced latte option. Particularly noteworthy is that golden espresso is priced the same as espresso at Starbucks making it a great pick for fans of roast coffee.
Final Thought
So, what is blonde espresso? A blonde espresso is an option for anyone seeking a slightly sweet coffee with a good kick of caffeine in it – perfect for those who enjoy a lighter roast without making a drastic switch to another coffee variety.
Blonde espresso is readily available at Starbucks locations. Can be made at home with minimal effort and attention to detail in grinding and following your coffee maker’s instructions. Your blonde espresso experience can be enhanced by incorporating a touch of milk and sweetener along with your flavor syrup, for a delightful twist.
FAQs
Blonde roasts have a bit more caffeine compared to espresso when lightly roasted but traditional espresso still stands out as the more robust and intense option. Between the two in terms of taste and aroma because of the difference in roasting techniques used for each type of coffee.
Blonde espresso is perfect for people who prefer lighter, brighter coffee flavors, but have a slightly greater caffeine concentration. The flavors of regular espresso are richer and more intense.
Blonde espresso has a light taste with fresh fruity notes and clean acidity, suitable for those who love coffee with a light and bright taste. In contrast, regular espresso stands out with a rich, bold flavor and a slight bitterness, bringing a stronger experience in every sip. This difference helps each espresso to suit individual preferences, from those who like the light feeling of blonde espresso to those who prefer the strong taste of traditional espresso.
