What Is Blonde Espresso? The Smooth Starbucks Roast

Walk into any Starbucks today and, in addition to your traditional espresso choices, you can also order up something new: Blonde Espresso. If you’ve ever been curious about why that is or have heard people rave about it, you’re not alone. A lot of history-loving coffee drinkers want to know what this lighter roast is all about and how it compares to the mega chain’s typical dark espresso. Let’s run through it in plain English, and help you understand what blonde espresso is, how it tastes and whether you should throw it into your coffee rotation.

What Is Blonde Espresso?

Blonde espresso is the light roast espresso from Starbucks. Rather than roast the beans to a dark, smoky boldness, Starbucks keeps them on the lighter side. More of the bean’s natural flavors are left intact during this process. The result? Wetter and a little sweeter with softness at the end of espresso. It’s worth noting of course: “blonde” does not mean weak. Even with less intense roasting, blonde espresso can deliver lots of caffeine in fact, it usually contains slightly more caffeine than darker roasts because lighter roasting preserves more of the bean’s natural caffeine supply.

What Makes Blonde Espresso Different from Regular Espresso

Starbucks Espresso Roast, is bold and has a smooth taste with some bitterness. Blonde espresso, however, is more bodacious in both weight and taste. Here are the key differences:

• Flavor profile: Blonde espresso is sweet and citrusy; dark, strong, smoky and bitter.
• Body: Blonde is lighter with lower viscosity on the tongue.
• Caffeine: Blonde has marginally more caffeine variation per shot.
• Versatility: Blonde is a great base for milk, cream and flavored syrups as it won’t take over their flavor.

It’s not a one-for-one translation, but think of it like this: just as dark espresso is bitter and thick, more akin to a very strong cup of black coffee that you might drink after dinner, blonde espresso is lighter on the palate and drinks for more easily.

What Does Starbucks Blonde Espresso Taste Like?

That’s where blond espresso really speaks. People often describe it as:

• Sweet: subtly caramel, cocoa or vanilla-like.
• Light: though some cups have a slight citrus note, almost lemony.
• Mild: not nearly as tart as traditional espresso.
• Balanced: it mixes well with milk, and flavoring shots.

Making it a great choice for those who take the cream, iced or flavored versions of their coffee but dislike that edgy espresso edge.

Is Blonde Espresso Stronger?

Here’s one question most people have: Is blonde espresso stronger than regular espresso? The response hinges on what you mean by “strong.”

• In taste, no. Blonde espresso is much less bitter compared to dark espresso.
• In caffeine, yes. A blonde shot is usually higher in caffeine because light roasting preserves more of the bean’s natural jolt.

So although it goes down smooth, don’t be deceived you could actually get an even larger hit of energy.

Blonde Espresso Starbucks Drinks

Most Starbucks espresso drinks can be also be made with blonde as well. Here are some of my favorite sweeteners that really shine with this roast:

• Ogamy Blonde Vanilla Latte: sweet, soft with natural smoothness.
• Iced Blonde Americano: cool, smooth and not as bitter.
• Blond Cappuccino: frothy with none of the bite.
• Blonde Flat White: silky & smooth with a touch of sweetness.
• Blonde Shaken Espresso: cold, light and great for warm days.

If you’re the experimental type, you can also ask for Blonde shots in almost any espresso-based Starbucks drink.

Brewing Blonde Espresso at Home

And of course, Starbucks also sells Blonde Espresso Roast whole beans if you want to make it at home. Here are a few tips:

• Use fresh beans: always grind just before you brew for the best tasting coffee.
• Go fine: espresso grinds very finely.
• Tweak your extraction: blonde espresso often tastes best when brewed slightly shorter than their dark roast cousins.
• Choose wisely: it pairs great with oat milk, almond milk or syrups like vanilla and caramel.

And even if you don’t have an espresso machine, you can brew Blonde Roast in a French press or pour-over or drip coffee maker for that mellower regular cup.

Who Should Try Blonde Espresso?

You should opt for blonde espresso if:

• Don’t like bitter coffee.
• Enjoy naturally sweet, mellow flavors.
• Craving more caffeine but don’t want something heavy.
• Drink a lot of lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffees.

But for someone who’s after a darker, smokier and bolder flavor profile, the traditional Espresso Roast from Starbucks is a safe bet.

Why Blonde Espresso Matters

Blonde espresso shows how coffee is changing. Dark, strong flavors are not for everyone, and Starbucks wanted a way to make espresso palatable to as many people as possible. It’s also a savvy choice for health-minded drinkers. Because it’s smoother, people often find they don’t need to add as much sugar or syrup. That’s a lot of hidden calories over time you could shave off your daily coffee habit.

Final Thoughts

So, what is blonde espresso? It’s Starbucks’ hushed descant to espresso a bright, cheery roast that emphasizes sweetness and brightness over bold, brooding bitterness. Weak it is not, and watered down it is not. It’s really another way of doing coffee to provide you with other means by which you could enjoy your favorite drinks. The next time you’re at Starbucks, just order your latte or iced coffee with Blonde Espresso and notice the difference for yourself. You may just discover your new go-to.