Have you noticed blonde espresso popping up on more menus lately and wondered how it's different from the regular kind? You're not alone.
Both are flavorful and aromatic, but they taste quite different once they're in your cup.
Quick Answer: What is the main difference between blonde espresso and regular espresso?
The main difference between a blonde espresso and a regular espresso is that a blonde espresso is characterized by a mild, citrusy flavor profile and subtle sweetness.
It is more acidic and has a higher caffeine content than regular espresso. Regular espresso is darkly roasted, resulting in a richer and more bitter taste.
In this article, I'll walk you through how blonde and regular espresso compare, and where they overlap, so you can find the variety that fits you best.
Let's get into it!
What is a blonde espresso?
A blonde espresso is a lightly colored coffee with a milder taste than the regular kind you're used to.
The term "blonde espresso" was first coined by Starbucks. It gained popularity in 2013, when the brand introduced its new blonde espresso drink.
It was initially called Cinnamon Roast, but that name confused people, since "cinnamon" was meant to describe the color, not the taste.
You might also see blonde espresso called New England Roast, Half City, or Light City.
You can pick up blonde espresso beans at most supermarkets and make the drink yourself, or grab a pre-made version at your local coffee shop.
Plenty of the bigger coffee shop chains now serve drinks with blonde espresso, though smaller independent cafés often don't keep it on their menus.
Tip: If you want to learn more about the blonde espresso, you can check out this article!
The main differences between blonde and regular espresso
Before we get into the details, here's a handy table laying out how blonde and regular espresso differ, and where they line up:
| Comparison: | Blonde espresso: | Regular espresso: |
| Roast | Light roast Short roasting time | Dark roast Longer roasting time |
| Origin | Latin America and East Africa | Latin America and the Asia-Pacific |
| Flavor and taste profile | Mild and smooth-tasting Bright citrus and floral notes Subtle sweetness | Latin America and the Asia-Pacific |
| Caffeine content | 85 mg (0.002 oz) of caffeine per espresso shot | 75 mg (0.002 oz) of caffeine per espresso shot |
| Bean appearance | Light brown or beige and matte | Medium to dark brown and sometimes oily |
| Acidity | Acidic with a pH level of around 4.5 | Less acidic with a 5.5 to 6 pH level |
| Uses | Excellent with cold brew and non-pressure coffee-making methods Pairs well with almond milk and vanilla | Works well with chocolate and drinks containing a lot of dairy |
| Price | Similarly priced |
What are the differences in roast levels?
Regular espresso is typically dark (or medium to dark) roasted, while blonde espresso is roasted light.
That roast level is the main thing that sets blonde and regular espresso apart.
It's one of the biggest factors shaping your coffee's color, taste, and acidity, so it's worth understanding.
What are the differences in origin?
Blonde espresso mostly comes from Latin America, though you'll also find it sourced from East African countries like Ethiopia and Uganda.
Most regular espresso beans are grown in Latin American countries, such as Brazil and Colombia.
That said, Asian-Pacific countries (like Indonesia or Papua New Guinea) are prolific espresso bean growers too.
What are the differences in taste?
Blonde espresso drinks are mild, creamy, and slightly sweet, so you get a smooth, easygoing cup.
Regular espresso, on the other hand, is roasted longer, which gives you a darker color and a bolder, more intense flavor.
When coffee beans are roasted and reach temperatures between 302 °F and 392 °F (150 °C and 200 °C), the Maillard Reaction occurs.
This reaction cracks the bean open, which caramelizes the bean's sugars and sets off several amino acid reactions.
That's what gives you those rich caramel and buttery flavors, while softening the more delicate citrus notes.
The longer that Maillard Reaction runs, the richer and darker your coffee ends up tasting.
With blonde espresso, the roast stops right as the Maillard reaction gets going, just after the first crack.
That's what lets the bean hold onto its acidity and gentle citrus flavors. The main note you'll taste in blonde espresso is lemon, though some varieties give you hints of orange or grapefruit too.
And don't worry, if you go with regular espresso there's still plenty of time for the beans' sugars to caramelize and build that rich, smoky, slightly bitter taste.
What are the differences in caffeine content?
One regular espresso shot (1 to 1.25oz / 29.5 to 37ml) contains approximately 75 mg (0.002 oz) of caffeine. A shot of blonde espresso typically contains about 85 mg (0.002 oz) of caffeine.
Regular espresso, with its rich, dark-roasted taste, comes across as more robust, so you might assume it has more caffeine.
In reality, blonde espresso often has a higher caffeine content than its regular counterpart.
Because of the longer roasting process, regular espresso beans end up larger, denser, and heavier than blonde ones.
That's what's behind the slight difference in caffeine. And as you probably know, the best way to make coffee is to weigh your beans.
Since blonde beans weigh less than regular ones, you need more of them to make the same amount of coffee, and that naturally bumps up the caffeine.
What are the differences in bean appearance?
Before they're roasted, all coffee beans are green, and their final color comes down to how long they spend roasting.
Regular espresso beans are dark brown, almost black. They look oily because the longer roast cracks them open and lets their oils escape.
Blonde espresso beans are light brown or beige, and since they're roasted just before they crack, they keep a dry, matte look:
Those oils are what give you the telltale creamy foam when you pull a shot of regular espresso.
What are the differences in acidity?
Blonde espresso drinks are more acidic than regular espresso ones.
Their pH level sits around 4.5, compared with traditional espresso, which lands between 5.5 and 6.
What are the differences in use?
Regular espresso is great in macchiatos, lattes, and other sweet drinks like those. Blonde espresso is better suited to cold brews and drinks with vanilla or non-dairy milk.
Regular espresso shots can cut right through the dairy thanks to their rich, bitter, caramel-sweet profile.
That's why regular espresso works so well in macchiatos, lattes, and mochas. The chocolate sweetens the drink and balances out that bitter edge.
Non-pressure methods, like pour over or cold brew, give the coffee a longer extraction time.
Lightly roasted beans suit those methods better, since their mild, gentle flavor won't overwhelm you, and your drink won't turn too bitter or sour.
Blonde espresso shots also pair nicely with drinks that use vanilla and almond milk. Think vanilla lattes and macchiatos made with non-dairy milk.
One heads-up: grinding blonde espresso beans can take a bit more effort and time, since they're denser and harder than the dark roasted kind.
What are the differences in price?
Blonde and regular espresso are priced about the same, whether you're buying a drink at a coffee shop or grounds at the supermarket, so you can really pick between them on taste alone.
Most coffee shops now serve blonde espresso, and you can often ask your barista to swap your regular shots for blonde ones at no extra charge.
The best espresso type for you
Now that you've read through how blonde and regular espresso differ, which one is right for you?
What is the most suitable espresso type for beginners?
If you're just starting out, blonde espresso is your friend. It's gentler on the palate, so you get a milder taste and a less intense cup while you find your footing.
Drinks made with regular espresso shots can feel like a lot when you're new to coffee, especially a neat shot or an Americano.
Tip: You can easily make an Americano with blonde roasted coffee beans using this recipe.
Related coffee comparison articles
Are you wondering how blonde and regular espresso stack up against other coffees?
Great! Have a look at the articles below for more in-depth coffee comparisons:
- Espresso vs. Americano
- Espresso vs. Cappuccino
- Espresso vs. Coffee
- Espresso vs. Cold Brew
- Espresso vs. Doppio
- Espresso vs. Ristretto
And to compare more coffees, visit the coffee comparison hub!
Final thoughts
Blonde and regular espresso cost about the same, but they part ways on acidity, roast level, origin, flavor, and bean appearance.
Blonde espresso has that milder taste, which makes it perfect if you're new to coffee or you just like a smooth, easygoing cup.
It pairs beautifully with drinks that use vanilla or almond milk.
Regular espresso, meanwhile, shines in drinks with dairy or chocolate, since those flavors balance out its strong, bitter side.
