Blonde Espresso vs Regular: What's the Difference?
Updated - Team Colipse
Blonde espresso and regular espresso are both 1 oz shots but differ primarily in their roasting process, affecting color, flavor, caffeine, acidity, body, and brewing. Blonde espresso uses lightly roasted beans, often enjoyed straight to appreciate its complex flavors. Regular espresso uses dark roast beans and is commonly used as a base for various coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
The primary difference between blonde and regular espresso lies in their flavor profiles. Blonde espresso, with its lighter roast, retains more of the coffee's original flavors and has a higher acidity. Regular espresso, being darkly roasted, offers a bolder, more intense flavor. Both types also require different espresso machine settings and types of coffee blends, further influencing the aroma and strength of the final brew.
What is Blonde Espresso?
Blonde espresso is a type of coffee drink made from light roast coffee beans. These beans are roasted for a shorter time, typically under ten minutes at 355 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For an even lighter flavor, blonde roasts are pulled before the first crack. This shorter roasting time results in a light brown color that preserves the beans' origin traits, such as floral or fruity notes, bright acidity, and a juicy texture. Blonde espresso offers a lighter body and a nuanced flavor profile with hints of sweetness, citrus, or floral notes, depending on the beans.
Blonde espresso, like regular espresso, is made by forcing hot water (88°C) at 9 bars of pressure through 7 grams of finely ground coffee, but it uses light-roasted beans instead of dark roast. It is versatile coffee, enjoyed on its own or as a base for drinks like Blonde Cappuccino, Americano, or Blonde Espresso Macchiato. Blonde espresso provides a brighter, more vibrant taste compared to the bold flavor and creamy texture of regular espresso.
What Does Blonde Espresso Mean?
Blonde espresso simply means a lighter roast espresso drink made from Central American and East African coffee beans. The term "blonde" refers to the lightest coffee roast. Blonde espresso doesn't mean the coffee is weaker or decaffeinated. In fact, it has a sweeter flavor than regular espresso. However, brewing blonde espresso at home can be tricky because not all espresso machines handle light roasts well. The denser beans require adjustments to brewing temperature, grind size, and extraction time for optimal results. Machines without manual settings may produce inconsistent shots.
What Does Blonde Espresso Taste Like?
Blonde espresso has a distinct flavor profile. The first sip introduces crisp, vibrant citrus notes like bright lemon zest and sweet orange peel, along with floral hints of jasmine and chamomile. The aroma is sweet and nutty with hints of buttery caramel that balance high acidity with a creamy softness. The finish is surprisingly crisp and clean, despite the creamy softness, with a lemony or bergamot-like clarity that lingers on the palate. Blonde espresso has a smooth and mild flavor with a lighter body compared to bold and intense regular dark roast espresso.
Is Blonde Espresso Stronger?
No, blonde espresso is not stronger in terms of flavor. Despite the common misconception that "blonde" means bolder, it actually has a smoother and lighter taste than dark roast espresso. However, it is slightly stronger in terms of caffeine content. This is because the lightly roasted beans used for blonde espresso retain more caffeine than the darker roasted beans used for regular espresso.
What is Regular Espresso?
A regular espresso is a standard espresso shot, enjoyed solo or in drinks like lattes, flat whites, or cappuccinos. It is made from medium-dark or dark roasted coffee beans. Coffee beans for regular espresso are roasted at higher temperatures ranging from 425°F to 455°F for a longer time, typically after the second crack. They develop a deep brown to black color, ranging from 45 to 25 points on the Agtron scale, and release oils on the bean surface. A regular espresso is served in a demitasse cup, holding about 1 ounce of liquid.
Regular espresso is brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee quickly, producing a small, concentrated, foamy drink. The certified Italian espresso shot must have a hazel-brown to dark-brown foam, with tawny reflexes and a fine texture. Traditional espresso blends use dark roast Arabica and Robusta beans. The brittleness of dark roasts enables a fine grind and quick extraction, critical for espresso preparation. Their bold chocolate and nutty flavors define the classic espresso experience. Dark espresso have slightly less caffeine than blonde espresso roasts because of longer roasting times.
What is the Difference between Blonde and Regular Espresso?
The primary difference between blonde and regular espresso lies in the roasting process, which significantly impacts their color, flavor, and acidity. Blonde espresso beans, roasted for a shorter time, undergo only the early stages of the Maillard reaction, creating less caramelization than normal espresso. This result in a lighter, golden-brown color and a more delicate flavor profile with notes of citrus, fruits, and light sweetness. Blonde espresso is more acidic than regular espresso.
In contrast, regular espresso beans are roasted longer, producing a dark brown color, an oily sheen, and bolder flavors like chocolate, nuts, and caramel. While the roasting process is key, other differences between dark and blonde espresso exist, including caffeine content, potential health effects, and preparation.
1. Differences in Caffeine Between Regular and Blonde Espresso
The question of whether blonde or regular espresso has more caffeine is more complex than it might seem. Studies show that the roasting degree of coffee beans affects caffeine levels. Light roast coffee has approximately 5.8 milligrams of caffeine per ounce, compared to 5.6 milligrams per ounce in dark roast, according to a 2021 study by Shady Awwad from Applied Science Private University. In this case, blonde espresso made from lighter roast coffee beans contains slightly more caffeine than regular espresso made from dark roast beans.
This table, sourced from the 2021 Awwad study, shows the caffeine levels for different coffee roast levels, including blonde and dark roast.
| Coffee Roast Level | Roasting Temperature (°C) | Chlorogenic Acid (mg/oz) | Caffeine Levels (mg/oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Coffee | --- | 16.06 | 4.93 |
| Blonde Roast | 155–165 | 8.01 | 5.81 |
| Medium Roast | 175–185 | 5.55 | 6.02 |
| Espresso Roast | 205–215 | 2.68 | 5.61 |
However, this doesn't mean blonde espresso is stronger nor its has more caffeine per shot. The biggest factor is the type of coffee bean used for the espresso blend, as the difference in caffeine content between bean varieties is significant. Arabica beans, commonly used in blonde espresso blends, contain less caffeine than robusta beans, which are prevalent in dark espresso blends.
Arabica coffee contains 87.3–122.5 mg of caffeine per 100 mL, while robusta has 123.3–192.0 mg per 100 mL, as noted by Silvia Amelia Verdiani Tfouni's 2014 study. Therefore, even though a blonde roast Arabica has slightly more caffeine than a dark roast Arabica, a dark roast espresso made with Robusta and Arabica blends typically has more caffeine overall.
2. Differences in Health Effects Between Regular and Blonde Espresso
While both blonde and regular espresso have potential health benefits and drawbacks, neither is definitively healthier. Blonde espresso, with its lighter roast, retains more antioxidants, which may offer protective effects against certain diseases. A 2022 study by Eman Alamri from the University of Tabuk found that light-roasted coffee had 11.24% more antioxidant activity.
However, regular espresso, made from dark-roasted beans, has been linked to more significant weight loss in some studies. A 2011 study by Christine Kotyczka indicated dark roast coffee may be more effective for weight loss. Participants drinking dark roast coffee lost 5.7 pounds on average over 12 weeks, compared to 1.8 pounds for those drinking light roast.
It's important to consider that blonde espresso may contain slightly higher levels of acrylamide, a potential carcinogen, according to a 2022 toxicological research study by Joseph Kim, published in the Journal of Food Protection. While more research is needed to determine the actual health impact of this difference, it's a factor to keep in mind. Ultimately, the healthiest choice depends on individual health goals and priorities.
How to Make Blonde Espresso?
To make blonde espresso, start by using lightly roasted coffee beans ground finely. Brew the espresso using an espresso machine, maintaining water temperature around 195-205°F. The brewing method for blonde and regular espresso is the same, following traditional Italian espresso preparation. However, because blonde espresso uses lighter roasted beans, differences in roasting profiles require adjustments in grind size, water temperature, and extraction time.
Making blonde espresso requires a machine with precise control over temperature, grind size, and pressure, according to Federico Pinna, a renowned barista who placed 6th at the 2024 World Barista Championship in Busan. A PID controller, which helps maintain stable temperature, is highly recommended. If your machine doesn't have a PID, try to preheat it thoroughly before brewing.
Federico recommends grinding the beans finely, using a dose of 22 grams, and extracting with water at 94°C for a blonde espresso shot. Aim for a 20-25 seconds brewing time and adjust the machine to output 40 grams of espresso for optimal flavor balance. A quality grinder is also essential for the finer grind needed. Blonde espresso and regular espresso blends use different types of coffee beans, coming from different regions and altitudes, which directly impacts their flavor profiles.
What are the Best Coffee Beans to Make Blonde Espresso?
The best coffee beans for blonde espresso are Arabica beans from high altitude regions like Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Kenya. These higher altitude beans, typically grown at elevations of 1,500 - 2,500 meters above sea level, retain more origin terroir and are more suitable for light roasting blonde espresso, resulting in delicate and nuanced flavors.
Where to Buy the Best Coffee Beans to Make Blonde Espresso?
To buy the best blonde espresso beans, find a specialty coffee roaster, shop online, or check local coffee shops. Look for "blonde espresso roast" with a light roast, often described with flavor notes like citrus, floral, or fruity. Make sure the beans are fresh by checking the roast date (within two weeks is best). Colipse offers fresh blonde espresso blend for sale in 12 oz bags starting at $21.50.
How to Make Regular Espresso?
To make regular espresso, follow the Italian National Espresso Institute's (INEI) definition: force 25 milliliters of water at 88°C through 7 grams of finely ground coffee under 9 bars of pressure. The extraction takes 25 seconds and produces a thick crema with a hazel-brown to dark-brown color and fine texture. Achieving these standards at home requires medium-dark or dark roast coffee beans, as these roasts are generally best for espresso, and an espresso machine capable of reaching the required temperature and pressure. Many home espresso machines have built-in features to help you achieve these parameters.
What are the Best Coffee Beans to Make Regular Espresso?
The best coffee beans for regular espresso are blends of Arabica and Robusta beans from regions like Brazil, Sumatra, and Ethiopia. They offer a balanced combination of body, sweetness, acidity, crema, and complexity, ensuring a rich, well-structured espresso with depth and aromatic appeal. They are easier to roast and extract, produce consistent crema, and pair well with milk-based drinks, making them versatile and beginner-friendly for baristas.
Where to Buy the Best Coffee Beans to Make Regular Espresso?
To buy the best coffee beans for regular espresso, look for specialty coffee roasters, online stores, or high-quality local coffee shops. Many online specialty coffee stores, such as Colipse, offer freshly roasted espresso beans for sale. Look for beans labeled as "espresso roast" with a medium-to-dark roast profile for optimal flavor. Ensure freshness by checking the roast date and selecting beans within two weeks of roasting.
What is More Popular: Blonde Espresso vs Regular?
Regular espresso is more popular than blonde espresso. Its bold, rich flavor profile appeals to a broader audience and is a staple in coffee culture. According to 2024 National Coffee Data Trends Market Research, 14% of Americans choose espresso over drip coffee for its flavor and strength.
Blonde espresso, while gaining popularity, still has a smaller following. It appeals to coffee drinkers who prefer a lighter, milder flavor profile. A 2017 survey of consumers' attitudes toward light-roast coffee in the United States found that 19 percent of respondents preferred light roasts. However, a 2022 report by M. Ridder showed a decline in the preference for light roast coffee, with only 12.4 percent of consumers choosing this option. This suggests that while some coffee drinkers enjoy the lighter profile of blonde espresso, it still has a more niche appeal compared to traditional espresso.
What to Choose: Blonde Espresso vs. Regular Espresso?
Choosing between blonde and regular espresso depends on your taste and budget. Blonde espresso has a lighter, sweeter flavor profile, while regular espresso is bolder and more traditional. If you prefer a less intense espresso and don't mind investing in specialized equipment, blonde espresso is a great choice. However, if you're looking for a classic espresso experience and prefer a simpler setup, regular espresso is the way to go.