Blonde Espresso – What is it and how to prepare it

When most people think of espresso, they think of a strong, dark, caffeinated coffee. However, espresso can also be lighter in color without losing its caffeine content. This is commonly known as blond espresso.

What is espresso?

Espresso is a compact coffee in which the water is only briefly pressed through the coffee powder. The result is a rich and full-bodied brew. Whether you prefer the classic espresso or the blonde espresso, this delicious drink is undoubtedly a great way to start the day.

What is blond espresso?

A lighter coffee bean roast is used for blond espresso. The result is a coffee that is lighter in color and has a milder flavor profile. Although it contains more caffeine than regular espresso, its flavor is subtler.

How is blond espresso prepared?

Blonde espresso with a lighter roast means the beans are roasted for a shorter time than dark roasts. The result is a coffee with high acidity and milder flavors.

At around 150-200°C (302-392°F) the coffee begins to turn brown and develop different aromas and flavors; when the heat reaches around 205°C (401°F), the coffee will begin to lose water. This causes the coffee beans to crack open (the first crack). The first crack creates a light roast profile used to make blonde espresso.

Why is the espresso called “blonde”?

The name has to do with marketing. In the early 20th century, wholesalers and retailers called it “light roast coffee”.

In the 1970s and 1980s, coffee companies discovered they could sell more by renaming the light roast “cinnamon roast”. Today you hear different designations such as “light”, “lighter” and “blonde”.

Behind the name is the appearance of the beans before and after roasting. So-called blonde roast espresso beans have a slightly lighter appearance than medium roast beans, which are a deeper brown color.

Differences between blond espresso and normal espresso

Ideally, one would think that a blonde espresso and a darker roast differ only in the roast. However, the roast also introduces other differences, such as caffeine content and acidity. The two types of espresso differ mainly in the following points:

Caffeine content

When it comes to coffee, the lighter the roast, the higher the caffeine content. This is because the roasting process breaks down the cell walls of the coffee bean and releases the caffeine. Because blond espresso is made with a light roast, it contains more caffeine than regular espresso.

In general, all blonde roasts, whether drip or espresso coffee, have more caffeine than all other roasts.

Color

As the name suggests, blond espresso is lighter in color than traditional espresso. In contrast, traditional espresso is made from 54 dark roast beans, resulting in a darker color.

Degree of roasting

The degree of roasting is determined by the duration of the roasting of the coffee beans. The longer the beans are roasted, the darker they become. For example, blond espresso is made with a light roast of the beans, while traditional espresso is made with a dark roast.

The taste

The taste of the coffee is also determined by the degree of roasting. The longer the beans are roasted, the more intense the flavor. Therefore, blond espresso has a milder taste than traditional espresso. Its flavor is also subtler, featuring notes of citrus, chocolate and caramel.

How to make blonde espresso at home?

If you’re looking for a quick guide to making blonde espresso, here’s a list of the ingredients required.

Ingredients needed to make blonde espresso at home

Before you start the recipe, make sure you have all the requirements for brewing a perfect blonde espresso.

  • Roasted blond espresso beans
  • Water
  • Espresso machine
  • Coffee grinder

Steps to make blonde espresso at home

  1. Grind a tablespoon of coffee beans.
  2. Place the ground coffee beans in the portafilter of your preheated espresso machine.
  3. Firmly tamp the ground coffee so that it lies flat. Make sure the pressure is set correctly.
  4. Finally, prepare the first shot, which will take about 30 seconds.
  5. Taste the first sip and adjust if necessary to suit your taste.

Conclusion

Blonde espresso is a type of coffee that is prepared with a light roasting of the beans. It contains more caffeine than regular espresso and has a less intense taste. It is often described as a coffee with notes of chocolate, citrus and caramel. Blonde espresso is also slightly sweeter than regular espresso and is milder.