After 43 Years, Starbucks Launches A New Espresso To Pour In All Your Drinks

Starbucks is taking this “new year, new me” thing really seriously by introducing its first new espresso since its inception back in 1971.

For the last 43 years, our Starbucks lattes and macchiatos have contained their “Signature” espresso, but times are changing and they’re going to spend 2018 trying to convince you their new Blonde espresso is the future.

Starbucks launched the Blonde espresso in over 8,000 stores nationwide, Tuesday, and will be available in their lattes, flat whites, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and Americanos.

The Blonde espresso consists of beans from Latin America and East Africa, having a “balanced, subtle sweetness,” according to a Starbucks press release.

“We set the standard for a dark, boldly roasted coffee, and in this case, we broke a few of our own rules by taking a lighter approach to espresso which created a bright taste with sweet citrus notes and a smooth body,” said Andrew Linnemann, vice president of Global Coffee for Starbucks.

The description of their new Blonde espresso sounds very similar to their Willow Blend coffee beans, which also has citrus notes, and has beans from Latin America and East Africa. The initial press release doesn’t specify that they’re using the Willow Blend, but the similarities make it very likely.

I got myself an iced Blonde Vanilla Latte this morning, and it does taste a little different than the traditional, but not so much where it has an odd flavor.

The smooth finish, as opposed to the bold finish from their Signature blend, was apparent. It was only one drink, but I’m sold so far. Count me in for team Blonde.