What is blonde espresso? You might not have heard of blonde espresso if you are a novice coffee lover or drink coffee without knowing the original.
This category of coffee is trendy among coffee lovers because of its different flavor compared to the regular espresso. Even those who suffer from acute gastric disorders can safely consume this coffee.
But what exactly makes blonde espresso so desirable apart from the significant difference in flavor alone To give an accurate answer to this question. Let us first understand what is a blonde espresso and how it differs from the usual espresso. You can also find out how to make your blonde espresso at home!
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What Is A Blonde Espresso?
Blonde espresso is based on roasted coffee beans but only reaches the light or medium roast level. This reasonably short roasting process results in coffee that still tastes authentic, close to its natural characteristics.
Its unique taste and difference from the usual espresso make blonde espresso have its fans. This coffee may be suitable for those who like to find espresso that is not too bitter.
Blonde Espresso VS Regular Espresso: The Difference Between Them
What are the main characteristics of blonde espresso? Let’s explore the characteristics of blonde espresso that make it different from regular black espresso.
1. Lighter Color
When you see it in person, you might recognize it because of its light brown color – similar to milk chocolate. This is very different from regular espresso, which is dark brown.
This lighter color occurs because the coffee roasting process is too short. In short, the visual appearance of blonde espresso tends to be more attractive.
2. Milder Flavor
Because the roasting process does not reach the dark roast level, the blonde espresso served usually has a milder flavor.
Does this mean that blonde espresso is also sweeter? That’s right. The light roasting process usually still leaves the natural sugar content of the coffee beans.
3. Higher Acidity
Despite its sweetness, the acidity level of blonde espresso tends to be high. Typically, coffee that tastes fresh, acidic, and bright feels more complex when drunk.
4. High Caffeine Content
Does a light roasting time lower the caffeine content? Quite the opposite. The caffeine in blonde coffee tends to be higher than in regular espresso. This is because lightly roasted coffee beans only lose a fraction of their caffeine content.
5. Flavors
Which espresso is the strongest? Despite its high caffeine content, blonde espresso usually tastes lighter and sweeter-very different from the intense and concentrated espresso.
Not only that, but regular espresso also has chocolate and caramel flavors. On the other hand, blonde espresso produces coffee with intense fruity and floral notes.
6. Smell
Last but not least, pay attention to the aroma! If you’re aware, blonde espresso tends to smell floral and fruity and has a hint of citrus notes. Meanwhile, black espresso usually has a rich aroma with hints of chocolate and caramel.
Who and What Is Blonde Espresso Suitable For?
Are you a lover of sweet and light coffee? Fortunately, this blonde espresso is the perfect choice for you. It’s also suitable for beginners who want to try espresso without the fear of it tasting too bitter, even if you need a large amount of caffeine.
Best Type of Beans for Blonde Espresso
Want to produce the best cup of warm blonde espresso? Always use quality coffee beans. Let’s see the best coffee types for blonde espresso that you can choose from.
1. Arabica Beans
First up are Arabica coffee beans. While these high-quality beans have complex flavors, they still taste smooth on your tongue.
For the flavor profile, this type of coffee usually tastes floral, fruity, and even slightly sweet. These naturally unique flavors would be perfect for a blonde espresso. With just the right level of acidity and still refreshing, drinking coffee is now more enjoyable.
Also read: Robusta vs Arabica Coffee Beans: What Sets Them Apart?
2. Ethiopian Beans
Have you ever processed and consumed coffee beans from Ethiopia? This region is known for its high-quality coffee, which is perfect for blonde espresso.
As a description of its flavor, Ethiopian beans have an interesting flavor profile, a balanced combination of acidity, floral, and fruity.
When processed into a blonde espresso, this coffee is guaranteed to taste naturally sweet without adding additional sugar or milk!
3. Kenyan Beans
Next up is a coffee from Kenya that is quite bold in flavor, thanks to its high acidity and slight fruity notes, such as black currant or grapefruit. With a complex flavor profile, this coffee could be turned into a fresh and characterful blonde espresso.
4. Colombian Beans
The balance of sweetness and acidity makes Colombian beans a popular choice. Moreover, they also have hints of caramel and soft chocolate, perfect for a blonde espresso with a unique flavor! The combination of all these notes results in a flavor profile that blends harmoniously, and is still relatively mild.
5. Costa Rica Beans
Costa Rica is known for its coffee commodity, dominated by its fruity flavor and still-okay acidity. With a flavor profile like this, it is no wonder that these beans can produce a blonde espresso that is both fresh and complex. With a balanced body, your brewed coffee will taste smoother when consumed.
6. Guatemalan Beans
Similarly, Guatemala is also regarded as one of the best coffee producers, mainly when processed into blonde espresso.
The coffees they bring have a complex flavor and a slight sweet-savory aftertaste of nutty chocolate and spices. Whether the acidity is medium or high, you can turn Guatemalan beans into a blonde espresso drink worth trying.
7. Brazilian Beans
Coffee beans from Brazil are declared the primary raw material for a delicious blonde espresso. Despite their heavier body, these beans can produce a smooth chocolate and nutty flavor. It is suitable to be processed into a blonde espresso-based drink.
How to Roast A Blonde Espresso
After knowing what is blonde espresso and what the best beans you can choose from are, it would be fair if you could help me understand how to roast them.
An excellent roasting process can give our brewed coffee an optimal flavor. Let’s talk a little bit about how to roast a blonde espresso.
- Choose Quality Coffee Beans: We recommend using high-quality green coffee beans suitable for light or medium roast.
- Monitor Temperature Carefully: Roast your beans at a relatively low temperature, between 175°C and 200°C. This will avoid the possibility of overcooking your coffee.
- Shorten Roasting Time: Also, pay attention to the roasting time of the beans. Usually, 10-12 minutes is enough.
- Listen for the First Crack Sound: If you hear the sound of cracking beans, stop roasting immediately! The sound indicates that the beans have passed the light roast stage.
- Quick Cooling: Remove your beans from the roaster immediately. This is so that they can cool down quickly.
Tips for Making Blonde Espresso At Home
A tremendous blonde espresso depends on the suitable types of ingredients and coffee processing techniques. Apply these tips to make an appetizing cup of blonde espresso!
1. Use High-Quality Fresh Coffee Beans
The key to blonde espresso is to use fresh, premium coffee beans. Roast the beans to your desired level light or medium roast–before storing them in an airtight container.
When using quality coffee beans, especially Arabica, you can quickly produce a blonde espresso that is both smooth and sweet.
Also read: Where to Buy Good Coffee Beans?
2. Adjust grind size
Want to produce the best-tasting blonde espresso? Adjust the size of the coffee mill you use.
When extracting coffee, you need to use a fine grind. As a result, these coffee beans will give you coffee with a smooth flavor, the hallmark of blonde espresso.
Avoid grinding them too fine. Instead, the resulting coffee will taste more bitter, far from the preferred flavor of blonde espresso.
3. Experiment with Extraction Time
The length of the extraction process also determines the flavor of blonde espresso. Ideally, coffee beans can be extracted within 20-30 seconds.
Want a more prominent sweetness? Try to reduce the extraction time slightly. Ensure that your beans can still produce a blonde espresso with a balanced flavor.
4. Use Filtered Water
The quality of the water used also determines good coffee flavor. We recommend using clean water so the coffee beans will not lose their natural taste and aroma.
5. Monitor Espresso Machine Temperature
If you like a balanced blonde espresso without bitterness, setting the machine temperature to a low temperature is best. The recommended temperature ranges from 88-92°C. Keep this temperature consistent until the brewing process is about to begin.
6. Use Scales for Accuracy
The last tip is to use a 1:2 ratio between coffee and water to produce the best-tasting espresso. Remember to weigh it, too, for more precision!
Enjoy the Uniqueness of Blonde Espresso with Quality Coffee from Indonesia
By now, you should understand what is blonde espresso, its characteristics, and the best coffee beans to choose from. Given the many advantages of this type of drink, especially the flavor–it’s no wonder blonde espresso is in such high demand among lovers of smooth coffee!
Now, we’ll leave the rest up to you: Are you willing to experiment with creating a blonde espresso drink with a flavor like no other? To take this first step, it’s best to explore to find coffee beans that can rival the deliciousness of blonde espresso.
Find a wide variety of Indonesian coffee at FnB Coffee! Known as one of the best coffee exporting countries, the quality and flavor of the archipelago’s coffees cannot be doubted. Here, we provide a variety of quality coffee from Indonesia, both Arabica and Robusta, with various flavors and aromas that are sure to arouse your taste buds.
Do you still need to decide which type of coffee is the best? You can contact our team or check out some of our best-sellers. What are you waiting for? Get your premium quality coffee beans from FnB Coffee for the perfect coffee cup to enjoy daily!
