Do you find that coffee is upsetting your stomach? Coffee can be pretty acidic, so drinking it may be uncomfortable for some people. Which is why we’re going to share with you how to make low acid coffee so you don’t have to give up your morning cup of joe.
There are also a couple of tricks you could try with your regular coffee to lower the acidity in it and we’re excited to share all of that and more with you in this article, so you can stay caffeinated and feel your best.
Table of Contents
What Is Coffee Acidity
Coffee acidity can be looked at in the scope of pH level. pH levels range from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. The lower the number, the more acidic something is. Most regular coffee beans sit at a 4.5 or 5 for their pH level.
Water sits at a 7 and typically fruit juices or soda are more acidic than coffee, but why does coffee seem to irritate your heartburn or stomach the most? This is largely due to the caffeine in coffee raising your natural stomach acid which results in heartburn or an upset stomach.
Tricks for Low Acid Coffee
Dark Roast
Opting for dark roasts when you can may be beneficial in reducing acidity in your coffee. Dark roasts naturally have less caffeine compared to medium and light roasts which would make dark roasts less acidic and less irritating.
Cold Brew
The process of making cold brew coffee reduces a great amount of acidity found in coffee simply by the way that it’s brewed. You can even use beans that aren’t specifically low in acid.
Just mix your coarsely ground cold brew coffee with water and let it steep overnight in the fridge. In the morning strain it with a fine-mesh strainer, French press, or coffee filter and enjoy your cup of low-acid cold brew.
French Press
Like cold brew, French press coffee is another brew method that is beneficial in lowering the amount of acidity in your cup. One of the reasons is because of the lower temperature it takes to brew French press coffee.
When coffee is extracted at a higher temperature, the chemical reaction that occurs results in coffee being more acidic. With the French press brew method, since coffee is being made at a lower temperature than you would find other brew methods, this would be a solution to reducing the acid in your coffee.
The method of steeping your coffee grounds, like you do for cold brew, is also thought to be a contributing factor in reducing the amount of acidity that’s found in your cup of joe.
Dilute With Milk
Another way to lower the acid in your coffee is by diluting it with milk. The calcium in the milk can help neutralize some of the acid in your cup of coffee.
Use Eggshells
This may sound strange but many people swear by it. You crush up eggshells and put it in with your coffee grounds before you brew a cup of coffee. The eggshells are alkaline which will help neutralize the acidity in your coffee when you’re brewing it.
Buy Low Acid Coffee Beans
If none of the above tricks work or fit your fancy, try buying low acid coffee beans. Low acid coffee is growing in popularity and most brands offer at least one low acid roast that you can easily find online or at your local grocery store. Keep reading for tips on what to keep in mind when you’re buying low acid coffee beans.
Buying Low Acid Coffee Tips
Treated vs. Inadvertent
Treated
One way low acid coffee beans are made low acid is from being treated. This is done either through the roasting process, like roasting the beans extra slow or in small batches of time.
Or done by steaming the green coffee beans prior to roasting to remove their waxy coat which will contribute to the acidity of the coffee.
Inadvertent
The other way acidity is reduced in coffee beans is inadvertent, which just means naturally. This coffee doesn’t need to be treated or have anything done to it to lower the acidity, it is just naturally that way. This can be found specifically in Arabica beans. They are naturally less acidic than Robusta beans.
Another way coffee beans can be naturally more or less acidic is from a variety of natural contributing factors when the coffee plant is growing. Such as the soil composition, the altitude, temperature, genetics, and other factors all play a role in how acidic the coffee beans will naturally be.
Typically coffee growing in hotter climates tends to ripen quicker and produce less acid. Alternatively, beans that are grown in cooler less humid climates, tend to take more time to ripen which results in more rich complex flavors but also higher acidity.
Wrapping Up
Coffee acidity can be reduced in a variety away, from the coffee beans you purchase to your brew method. Learning how to make low acid coffee can take some trial and we hope you have found a way to make your stomach happy but that also helps you continue drinking a delicious cup of joe.
FAQs
How do you make coffee less acidic?
By neutralizing the acidity by brewing with eggshells or using milk in your coffee to reduce the acidity. You can also reduce acidity with the brew method you use, such as brewing with French press coffee or cold brew. As well as buying dark roast or coffee beans that are specifically low in acidity.
What is the least acidic coffee?
Arabica coffee beans naturally have lower amounts of acidity as compared to Robusta coffee beans.
Does adding salt to coffee reduce acidity?
Yes, you can reduce the acidity in your coffee by adding salt. The salt works to neutralize the acidity, it will also make your coffee taste sweeter. Most people tend to add it with their coffee grounds but you can also add a pinch to your cup of black coffee.