Starbucks Blonde Espresso: What Is It and Where to Buy
The Starbucks Blonde espresso roast is one of three Starbucks espresso options, the others being the classic Signature espresso and decaf espresso. It’s the newest addition to the line-up but has quickly gained something of a cult following. It’s now showcased in some of the chain’s most popular modern drinks.
What exactly makes the Starbucks Blonde espresso roast stand out? Should you make the switch from Signature? Keep reading to find out.
A Quick Blonde Roast Primer
A “blonde” roast usually refers to a light roast, but no official guidelines exist. Some brands use “blonde” to mean a lighter-than-light roast, while others push it closer to a light medium. A blonde roast might also be called “cinnamon,” “city,” and “city plus” (1).
Learn more on this topic in our article: What is a blonde roast?
A blonde espresso roast is more unusual and reflective of the modern evolution of coffee tastes. It takes a bit more skill to nail a light roast espresso (2).
The trick to unlocking their potential is balancing that acidity out with good extraction.
Espresso has traditionally been made with medium and dark roast beans.
What Is Starbucks Blonde Espresso?
The Starbucks Blonde espresso roast is Starbucks’ second espresso roast coffee bean. It was introduced in 2018, a whopping 43 years after releasing the original Signature espresso roast.
The darker Signature espresso roast is iconic for its richness, with tasting notes of chocolate and caramel. It is made from dark roast beans from Latin America and the Asia/Pacific Region.
The Blonde espresso roast is a lighter, softer, sweeter, and smoother roast with balanced citrusy flavors and a creamy mouthfeel.
It comprises a carefully selected blend of coffee beans from East Africa and Latin America. Roasted to elicit the delectable combination of bittersweet chocolate and candied apple, it’s a popular fan favorite amongst coffee lovers.
Check out this YouTube video for more information on how Starbucks came up with the new roast.
The Starbucks Blonde espresso roast skews closer to a medium than a light roast, but that’s not a criticism. It results in a much more approachable and crowd-pleasing flavor profile that never skews too acidic. The Blonde espresso roast wasn’t developed to be a light roast so much as it was developed to be lighter than the Signature espresso.
How Can I Try Starbucks Blonde Espresso?
You can try the Starbucks Blonde espresso at the cafe, either as standalone espresso shots or as part of hot or iced Starbucks drinks. Drinks like the Honey Almondmilk Flat White or Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte come standard with the Blonde espresso roast, but you can ask to have it substituted for the Signature Roast in all classic espresso drinks.
Where to Buy Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast Coffee Beans (Aside from Starbucks)
You can buy Starbucks coffee beans at the coffee shop or online to grind and brew at home. In my experience, the Starbucks blonde espresso roast coffee bean bags aren’t always available at every location. If a store near you doesn’t have one, Starbucks also sells these beans through Amazon or Walmart.
If you have a Nespresso machine, you’ll be pleased to note the Starbucks Blonde espresso roast is available in compatible pods for the Original and Vertuo lines. They have an intensity 6 rating and yield a bold yet mellow cup (3).
Don’t feel confined to brewing espresso roast beans with an espresso machine. They also produce a clean and complex cup full of vibrancy when made using a pour over brewer.
Drinks to Make Using the Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast Beans
Now that you’ve acquired your bag of Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast coffee beans, it’s time to start brewing. Here are some great recipes featuring blonde roast espresso. Just be prepared to do a little experimentation if you’re used to working with darker roasts. Try a finer grind and increased brew temperature.
Final Thoughts
Starbucks released the Blonde espresso roast in 2018, a long-awaited companion to their Signature espresso roast. Made from lightly roasted coffee beans from East Africa and Latin America, the Blonde roast balances sweetness and acidity in a wonderfully creamy cup.
To try the Blonde espresso roast for yourself, visit your local Starbucks to sample an espresso shot or sip on a signature drink like the Blonde Flat White. Or pick up some whole beans to brew and enjoy at home.
FAQs
Yes, the Blonde roast is stronger than the Signature roast in caffeine content. A single shot of a Starbucks signature espresso has 75 mg of caffeine whereas a single shot of a Starbucks blonde espresso has 85 mg of caffeine.
Yes, blonde espresso is less bitter when brewed properly. Bitterness is often a result of over-extraction, and it is harder to over-extract a dense, light roast bean. However, lighter roasts risk under-extraction, which may taste sour, watery, or bland.
Any upside-down drink ordered at Starbucks means that the barista will prepare your beverage in the reverse order, with the first step last and the last one first. This means that the milk goes in first, then gets finished off with an espresso shot on top.
References
- Newton, T. (2018, March 16). How to Understand The Label on Your Bag of Roasted Coffee. Retrieved July 6, 2023, from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2018/03/how-to-understand-the-label-on-your-bag-of-roasted-coffee/
- Haw, M. (2022, September 8). How to unlock the full potential of light roast espresso shots. Retrieved from https://newgroundmag.com/2022/09/unlock-full-potential-light-roast-espresso/
- Baker, M. (2023, February 24). Coffee News Recap, 24 Feb: PepsiCo recalls thousands of RTD Starbucks frappuccinos, World AeroPress Championship publishes 2023 rules and regulations & other stories. Retrieved July 6, 2023, from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2023/02/coffee-news-recap-24-feb-2023/
