QUESTION: What is the meaning of blonde coffee? I saw it at a coffee shop recently but I didn’t ask then. – Annie G
CLEARLY COFFEE REPLIES: “Blonde coffee” refers to a lighter roast of coffee beans, which is also sometimes called a light roast, or breakfast roast. Probably what you saw actually said blonde roast and not blonde coffee. Light roasting allows for a coffee’s natural flavors and characteristics to be more prominent, as opposed to a darker roast, which can overshadow some of these more delicate flavors.
When coffee beans are roasted lightly, they tend to have a higher acidity, more fruity and floral notes, and a somewhat lighter body compared to darker roasts. Blonde coffee is particularly popular among people who prefer a smoother and more balanced taste, as opposed to the bold, strong flavors often found in darker roasts.
Starbucks is one of the most well-known coffee chains that uses the term “blonde” for their lighter roasted coffee. They offer a blonde roast called “Starbucks Blonde Espresso,” which is a lighter, smoother, and more balanced espresso option compared to their traditional dark roast espresso.
Besides Starbucks, it’s possible you might find other coffee shops or local cafes using the term “blonde” to describe their light roast coffee offerings. We found these beans called blonde roast Columbian at the Libertyville Coffee Company. Keep in mind that terminology may vary, so it’s always a good idea to ask the barista if you’re unsure about the roast level of a particular coffee.
Sometimes at regular coffee shops they get annoyed if you order things in Starbucks terms instead of regular coffee terminology. So if I were personally at a non-Starbucks location, I’d ask for a generically termed “light roast” instead of blonde.