Roasting is one of the most complex and crucial steps in the evolution of a coffee bean from a plant to a brew. The meticulous process leads to distinguished flavors and aromas, which help people determine their favorite kind of coffee. In this article, I will discuss the recently trending blonde roast and answer the question: is blonde roast stronger?
Is Blonde Roast Stronger?
Blonde roast has a stronger acidity as compared to dark roast. When comparing beans of the same variety, the blonde roast also has more caffeine than the dark roast. However, In terms of flavor, the darker roasts are more bitter, with a more pronounced coffee flavor. It all boils down to how long the beans were roasted.
To achieve a blonde roast, the beans are heated for a shorter time as compared to darker roasts. The longer the beans are subjected to heat, the more acidity is broken down and more caffeine is burned off. Consequently, the roasting process impacts the overall flavor profile and body of the brew. Read on to find some more interesting facts about the blonde roast.
Is Blonde Roast a Light Roast?
Blonde roast is essentially a type of light roast. The majority categorize the coffee roasts as dark, medium, and light. However, each category has a spectrum of roasts where every variation is distinct from the other. The difference might be subtle, but they can have an impact on the taste of your coffee depending on the brewing method.
The light roast beans are characterized by a light brown color and an absence of oils on the beans. Since the roasting process is short, the oils do not get a chance to break out on the surface. The process usually carries on until the beans reach temperatures of approximately 350 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit.
The first “crack” typically takes place at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which signifies that the coffee has approached the light roast. To achieve a blonde roast, the beans are dropped from the roaster immediately after the first crack, while some light roasts are exposed to heat for a little longer.
What Does Blonde Roast Coffee Taste Like?
The blonde roast tastes very different from the darker roasts due to the less roasting period and, consequently, the acidity. The acidity in the beans makes the coffee have a sour taste, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The citrusy notes provide the brew, made with a blond roast, with big, bright flavors that feel very refreshing.
It also has a more mellow taste and a light body, which is ideal for people who do not enjoy the bitterness and robustness of the darker roasts. Finally, the blonde roast is sweeter since the naturally-occurring sugars in the beans are not caramelized yet when the roasting process stops. However, the sweetness is somewhat masked by the higher acidity.
If you consume coffee with high-quality coffee beans, the blonde roast will allow you to taste the natural flavors of the beans. These flavors are otherwise masked by the bitterness of the darker roast.
Regardless, the taste is relative. You might like the blonde roast or you would hate it. In short, if you want a mild coffee experience and prefer your coffees towards the sweeter side, you would appreciate the coffee variations made with blonde roast.
Does Blonde Roast Have More Caffeine?
Blonde roast has more caffeine than the darker roast due to the short roasting process. However, the answer is not as straightforward, especially when you want to compare the caffeine content at the brewing level.
The first thing to note is that different varieties of beans have varying caffeine content. Roast is not the only factor that affects the caffeine levels of the beans. Moreover, the brewing method also influences the final amounts of caffeine in a cup of coffee.
Before we dive into the comparison between the caffeine levels of a blonde roast and dark roast, there are a few important things to note:
- The dark roasted beans have less mass because more water is evaporated from it during the roasting process as compared to the blonde roasted beans.
- The dark roasted beans are bigger in size since they undergo two cracks and expand during the roasting process.
So, the amount of caffeine in a blonde roast as compared to a darker roast will depend on the:
- Volume: One scoop of the blonde roast will have more individual beans than one scoop of the dark roast. Thus, there would be more caffeine in a scoop of blonde roast than in a dark roast.
- Weight: If I weigh out the same quantity of the blonde and dark roast, you would have more dark roast beans (since they have a lower mass). However, the caffeine content would be approximately the same.
- Grind: Usually, a finer ground of blonde roast is used (especially for espresso). As a result, more caffeine is extracted from the coffee and lands in your cup.
If you are looking to reduce your daily caffeine intake, you should consider all the various factors before ordering your next drink.
Is Blonde Roast Coffee Healthy?
Coffee has been linked to a number of health benefits in the past few years, such as better cardiovascular health, improved brain function, lower risk of depression, and a boost in energy levels. Apart from these, lighter roasts have some additional benefits that make them a relatively healthier choice.
According to a study, lighter roasts such as the blonde roast have more antioxidants compared to darker roasts. This is because green coffee beans have a high number of antioxidants that are broken down during the long roasting process. Whereas the blond roast retains a higher quantity of antioxidants than the darker variety.
If the acidity of the blonde roast is causing stomach issues, you can switch to even lighter roasts, such as the white and gold roast. In this way, you can reap the health benefits of the blonde roast without the acid reflux and stomach issues associated with a sensitive digestive system.
Which Roast Is Lighter Than Blonde Roast?
Despite being one of the lightest roasts of coffee available, the blonde roast is not the lightest roast. There are other roasts that have a shorter roasting duration than the blonde roast. These are:
- White Roast: It is probably the lightest roast since the beans are roasted until only around 325 degrees Fahrenheit. The roasting process is stopped even before the beans reach the first crack. Thus, they are also referred to as under-roasted. The coffee made from this roast has a very smooth and mild flavor.
- Gold Roast: To achieve a gold roast, the beans are roasted a little more than the white roast. It has a well-balanced flavor without any bitterness. If you are a tea-drinker, you would like the taste of this roast since it is very similar. However, the gold roast has a much higher caffeine content than tea. It also has less acidity than the blonde roast since it is roasted slowly at a low temperature.
How Do You Brew Blonde Roast Coffee?
You can brew the blonde roast coffee in a number of ways, similar to the other roasted coffees. Since the blonde roast has a milder flavor, it is recommended that you enjoy it straight and black with no additives. For this reason, espresso is a popular brew for blonde roast coffee beans.
You can also try pour-over coffee with freshly ground blonde roast beans. The slow process gives the water ample time to extract the maximum flavor for a clean, light-bodied taste.
However, it all depends on your personal preference. If you like your coffee with milk, cream, or sugar, go ahead! The subtle flavors will still shine through and give you a coffee experience that you enjoy.
Related Questions
Is Blonde Roast the Same as Cinnamon Roast?
For many years, the blonde roast was called the cinnamon roast because of the light color of the beans. However, the name caused some confusion as people considered “cinnamon” as the taste of the coffee instead of the roast of the beans. Thus, the cinnamon roast was rebranded as the blonde roast.
What Roast Has the Strongest Flavor?
In terms of flavor, the dark roasts are the strongest. You can detect notes of dark chocolates in the brew, which has more earthiness and richness than the lighter roasts. They also have the most potent aroma that feels heady and soothing, especially to coffee-lovers that like waking up to the smell of coffee.
Is a Blonde Espresso Stronger or Weaker?
A shot of blonde espresso will be stronger than the original espresso. The blonde espresso has more caffeine per serving as compared to the original espresso, which makes you experience a stronger hit of caffeine when you drink the blonde espresso.
Conclusion
To conclude, the blonde roast is stronger in some categories while weaker in others. When I talk about acidity and caffeine levels, the blonde roast triumphs darker roasts. The short roasting duration of the blonde roast allows it to retain its acidity and caffeine content. However, it also results in a milder flavor.
Longer roasting periods allow the flavors to evolve and intensify, bringing out the richness of the dark roast coffee.
