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Blonde Roast
What is blonde roast coffee, where does it come from and how does it taste?
Published December 22, 2021
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Johan Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Whether you are a coffee lover or even consider yourself to be a coffee connoisseur, you have probably heard about ‘blonde roast’ which is a fairly new thing in the world of coffee. However, you might not be fully sure about what a blonde roast is, or what to expect from the flavor or caffeine level of this type of coffee.
Blonde coffee meaning: A blonde roast refers to coffee beans that have been roasted for only a short period of time. This makes them lighter in color and means that the roasted beans have a less intense flavor. It’s much less bitter compared to regular coffee and has a slight citrus taste compared to the darker, more buttery, and complex flavors of regular, black coffee.
Because blonde coffee is roasted for a shorter time period compared to darker roasts, it also comes with a range of different benefits. It is higher in caffeine, meaning that it will keep you going for longer, and has more antioxidants. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that blonde roast vs medium roast or dark roast tends to have a lower pH, which makes it more acidic and may lead to side effects such as heartburn or joint pain if you consume a lot of it.
What is Blonde Roast Coffee?
What is blonde espresso? A blonde roast coffee is any coffee that you brew using blonde roast coffee beans. You can make it in an espresso machine, pour over brewer, French Press or any other coffee brewing type, and it can be served black or with milk, cream, sugar, or any other way that you like coffee.
The main distinction between a blonde roast and other types of coffee roast is the way that the coffee beans are roasted. ‘Blonde’ is used to describe the way that these coffee beans look because they have been very lightly roasted. The longer the period of time that coffee beans are roasted for, the darker they will become. In most coffee shops, you will usually find medium or dark roasted coffee beans available as they are traditionally the most popular type of roasted coffee beans. On the other hand, blonde roast coffee beans are left in the roaster for a much shorter amount of time and are only roasted until the first ‘crack’ appears in the bean.
How Blonde Roast Coffee Tastes
Blonde Roast Coffee describes coffee beans that are lightly roasted, making the coffee a little more acidic, and smoother in comparison to darker roasts. While not everybody will like the taste, lots of people do love it. It is more acidic while still having the floral notes that darker roasts lose when they come into contact with heat during the roasting process. On the other hand, blonde roast coffee is less likely to have the vanilla notes that tend to appear when the sugars are released after the beans are caramelized during a longer roasting process.
Since the coffee is lightly roasted, it will lower your pH levels, so it’s not always the best choice for an everyday, go-to drink. However, while it is more acidic, this soft and smooth coffee does still have some benefits.
Is Blonde Roast Strong?
It’s hard to say if blonde coffee is strong or not as coffee is very subjective and what one person might consider to be a strong coffee could be weak in the opinion of somebody else. When it comes to flavor, darker roasts tend to be more bitter, compared to the mellower flavor of the blonde roast. In terms of flavor, a dark roast is more likely to be ‘stronger’. However, the blonde roast has a much stronger acidity compared to a dark roast. This is because the longer the coffee beans are heated up for, the more of their acidity they will lose as it is broken down.
How Much Caffeine is in a Blonde Roast?
Most people are referring to the caffeine levels when they talk about the strength of a coffee, as most of us don’t just drink coffee for the taste, but also for the energy boost that it provides. The caffeine levels that are present in coffee beans can be impacted by the length of time that the beans have been roasted for. In general, the longer that the beans are roasted for, the lower the caffeine levels will be. Just like the acidity levels, the high temperature will break the caffeine down. As a result of this, one of the main differences between blonde and regular espresso is the higher caffeine content. However, the roast is not the only factor to consider since different coffee bean types have different caffeine levels, and the way that coffee is brewed can also impact the caffeine content.
Is Blonde Roast a Healthy Choice?
Whether or not blonde roast coffee is a healthy choice for you is a question that is tricky to answer with a simple yes or no. One of the most concerning aspects of this lighter brew is that it is higher in acid compared to darker roasts, which some might worry about in terms of their health. This is because the higher acid levels can lead to a range of issues such as migraines, fatigue, joint pains and more if it is consumed too much.
On the other hand, despite the higher levels of acidity, blonde roast coffee does have some health benefits, including more antioxidants compared to darker roasts, which means that it is more effective in protecting against inflammation compared to darker coffees.
Acid Levels in Blonde Roast Coffee
Blonde roast has become one of the latest trends in the coffee industry, and it’s quickly become very popular. However, the acidity level of this coffee is something that many people are interested in learning more about. Because of the process that it used to prepare it, blonde roast coffee is higher in acidity compared to darker roast coffee. This comes from the amount of heat that is used to prepare it. Blonde roast coffee is roasted at a high temperature like other coffees but for a shorter period of time, which causes the acids to be broken down and released giving the blonde roast a more citrusy flavor. However, this does raise the acidity levels in the process, which might cause some problems when drinking such as an upset stomach.
Where Blonde Roast Coffee Comes From
What is a blonde roast? Maybe you have enjoyed a blonde roast coffee and wondered where those different shades come from in your drink. Blonde roast coffee is simply coffee that has been very lightly roasted, giving it a new, more natural taste of coffee beans. It’s not simply lightly roasted coffee, as it is in the category of the lightest drinks. While any coffee can be used to make a blonde roast blend, popular brands such as Starbucks use a combination of Latin American and East African coffee beans for a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
How to Brew Blonde Roast Coffee
Blonde roast coffee can be brewed in much the same way that you would brew any other type of coffee beans. You can use it in an espresso machine, for pour-over coffee, filter coffee, and any other method that you prefer. It also works quite well for cold brew coffee. Since the flavor is central to enjoying your blonde roast coffee, many coffee lovers recommend enjoying this type of coffee black, either as an espresso or as a straight drip coffee, with no sweeteners or sugar added. However, how you brew and enjoy this coffee is ultimately up to you.
Choosing the Right Coffee Beans for Blonde Roast
The type of coffee beans that you choose will impact how your blonde roast coffee tastes. Roasting will disguise the distinct flavor characteristics of some coffees from different regions, which is why some premium coffee fans tend to prefer blonde and light roasts so that they can enjoy these unique flavor profiles. Whether you want to roast your own coffee or simply want to get the best quality, premium coffee beans are always going to be the best choice. A blonde roast tends to work best with Arabica coffee beans, as the roasting process will protect the original flavors of the coffee bean fruit. On the other hand, Robusta beans, which are generally considered to be lower quality compared to Arabica beans, are a better choice for dark roasting since this longer roasting process disguises the naturally bitter, rubbery taste and brings out more flavorful notes of dark chocolate, toffee, and caramel instead.
If you love coffee, blonde roasted coffee might be something that you’ve heard of. This type of coffee is roasted for a much shorter time compared to medium and dark roasts, leading to a brighter cup with citrusy flavors that is also more acidic and higher in terms of caffeine. If you want to taste the natural flavors of coffee form different regions, a blonde roast is the best way to do this.
About the author
Johan Hedlund
I´m living in Karlstad, Sweden with my family. Been working the last 25 years with several start ups in the tech industry. Coffee has been an integral part, both professionally and privately. Eager to learn new things and happy to be a member of the era of we community.
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