Coffee Science: Do you need Espresso Roast to make espresso at home?
Espresso isn’t a bean — it’s another way of brewing coffee. Starbucks coffee master and educator Lincoln Bechard explains how the roast you choose changes what you taste in your cup.
Many people making espresso at home start with the same question: which coffee beans should I use?
The assumption is simple: you need Espresso Roast to make espresso.
You don’t.
As part of the Starbucks Coffee Science series, coffee master and educator Lincoln Bechard breaks down what actually defines espresso — and why the roast you choose can completely change what ends up in your cup.
“Do you need to use Espresso Roast to make espresso at home? Absolutely not,” said Bechard.
What does ‘espresso’ actually mean?
Espresso is defined by how the coffee is made — not the beans themselves.
“Any coffee can be espresso. Espresso is just another way of brewing coffee, not a type of bean,” Bechard said.
Hot water is pushed through finely ground coffee under pressure, creating a concentrated shot with a layer of crema and a heavier, more textured body than drip coffee.
That shift in method intensifies the flavor — bringing forward deeper notes, sharper edges or brighter tones depending on the roast.
Do you have to use Espresso Roast to make espresso?
No, but it was designed for it.
“At Starbucks we’ve formulated our Espresso Roast to be great as lattes, Americanos, mochas and even cappuccinos,” Bechard said.
That matters most once milk or water is added.
A latte built on Espresso Roast holds its structure — the coffee still comes through.
How does Blonde Espresso change the flavor?
Roast level shifts what you notice first.
“We also have Blonde Espresso. It’s bright and citrusy and my personal favorite,” Bechard said.
Some of the differences show up in the cup:
- Espresso Roast → a fuller-bodied, more robust profile with caramelly notes
- Blonde Espresso → a lighter body with a brighter, citrus-forward profile
Does espresso have more caffeine?
Not necessarily.
Espresso tastes stronger because it’s more concentrated, but caffeine depends on how much you drink.
For a full breakdown, read which Starbucks drink has the most caffeine.
And remember, espresso is a method. Whatever coffee roast you love — that’s where to start.
