Less Acidic Coffee - Is It Time to Make the Switch?
Learn More and Choose the Best Brand for You
A love of coffee is something many of us share, and once hooked on the aroma, taste, and kick that a fresh, hot cup of java provides, it is not easy to give up.
But sometimes the enjoyment of the cup is lessened by the pain in the gut, the acid reflux, the upset stomach, GERT, and other ill effects. Not to be deterred, the search for less acidic coffee begins. Because, when you are a coffee lover, you are a coffee lover. You want to find a way.
How does coffee become more, or less, acidic anyway?
- The length and temperature of the roasting process makes a difference. A long, hot roast will result in a less acidic coffee, where lighter roasts (short time and temp) will contain a higher acidity level
- Finely ground coffee beans can lead to more acid being extracted during the brewing process
- The brewing time can alter the acidity in coffee. Cold brewed coffee is a slow process and results in a lower acidity than a shorter brewing time.
Our job at the Coffee Files is to make your life easier when it comes to deciding which lower acid coffee may be the best for you.
How do we come up with our 'best of' list? Honestly, with time, and attention to detail. We scour the internet world, discover what's available, and filter out the brands that don't make the cut. Then, we study the features and benefits individually for those that look promising, comb through the reviews and actually read them, to identify the pros and cons of each brand as identified by real-life users. From there, we identify the top...the best...the most consistently rated higher...and present them to you.
If you happen to click on a link and then make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Less Acidic Coffee - The Short List
If you want to jump right to the list of our recommended coffees that are lower in acid, here you go. Notice that we don't rank them in order of best, and then down the line. Why? Well, we know that every coffee drinker is unique, and that includes folks looking for less acidic coffee.
Any one of these recommendations could be the right choice for you:
Is Your Coffee Too Acidic? Signs that it's time for a change
The acidity in coffee occurs during the brewing process when acids are released from the coffee beans, and results in a pH of around 4.85 to 5.10. On a scale of 0 to 14, where 0 is high and 14 is minimal, coffee is considered acidic. And although it is less than the acidity in many fruit juices, it could be enough to cause discomfort for you.
Many coffee drinkers, myself included, can enjoy several cups of coffee every day and not feel any adverse affects from the acidity. In fact, some folks drink coffee throughout the day and are just fine (well, maybe a bit wired, but still functioning without side effects).
But for others, the joy of a fresh, hot cup of coffee is minimized by acid reflux, an uncomfortable condition that arises when stomach acid flows back into the tube connecting your heart and stomach. We often refer to it as heartburn. Or, maybe it's a slight upset stomach that occurs after the java.
If you can relate to these feelings and discomfort after drinking coffee, it could be time to consider switching to less acidic coffee.
And, if you've visited the dentist recently and been informed that your tooth enamel is breaking down, it could be due to the acidity level in the coffee you're consuming. Time to tick off the box that says, 'find some tasty low acid coffee'.
How to Choose a Low Acid Coffee
It can be overwhelming to have to make yet another decision about the brand of coffee you're drinking. No worries, my friend. Our recommendations have narrowed down the many options. If you like the details, here are a couple of specifics.
Most low acid coffee is grown in places like Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru, because the soil in these locations naturally yields beans with less acids.
Be sure to read the label and determine that your less acidic coffee of choice is 100% Arabica, and not Robusto. Why? Well, robusto beans are naturally high in acid. Stay clear of them.
You'll also find that a dark roast will be less acidic than a light roast.
Our Recommendations for the Best Less Acidic Coffee
Our research has resulted in five less acidic coffees that are highly rated and well received. Notice that we don't rate them or rank them in any order, we simply present them to you for your consideration. Why do we do this?
Well, we know that every coffee drinker is unique, and particularly those who are searching for a coffee that is lower in acidity. What may be the perfect find for one java lover will not make the cut for another.
So take a few minutes to read through the highlights and see which less acidic coffee might be your perfect choice!
Enticing aroma and smooth, sweet taste
Highlights
Considerations
Bottom Line:
Lucy Jo's coffee is a family-run Certified Organic coffee roastery in rural upstate New York. The roasting of high quality organic coffees is their specialty. A commitment to roasting in small batches ensures freshness with optimum flavor.
- Certified Organic low acid coffee blend easy on the tummy
- 100% Organic Arabica Beans from Indonesia and Brazil
- Smooth, sweet and earthy, with a hint of spice
- Small batch roasted by hand for optimum flavor in our family-run facility
- One 11 oz bag of Ground Coffee
Wellness in a cup
Highlights
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The infusion of Match green tea, Rooibos Red Tea and Gojo Berry isn't for every coffee drinker out there, but it gets many raving reviews for smooth taste with no side effects. The Tieman's Coffee folks state that there is nothing artificial and no extracts in their fusion coffee. The 100% Whole Superfood Antioxidants offer other health benefits, too.
It could be the perfect less acidic coffee for you!
- Low acid, ultra smooth flavor, stomach settling benefits, with an average ph range of 5.85%
- 100% premium Arabica coffee naturally fused with Matcha Green Tea for 5-7 hour sustained energy, no jitters; Rooibos Red Tea for stomach settling benefits, and Goji Berry powders with anti-inflammatory benefits
- We use only 100% Arabica premium coffee from Central and South America
- 5-times the body's daily requirement for anti-oxidant protection
- 10 ounce bag of whole bean dark roast coffee making approximately 40-8 oz cups of coffee
Mild, sweet, rich with low acidity
Highlights
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The Don Pablo story began in Columbia, and today this coffee is sourced from the lush, high altitude coffee fields of Columbia. Careful roasting produces a blend of sweet citrus and smooth dark chocolate that is always very smooth.
It wasn't easy to find a review that was less than stellar. Don Pablo Columbian Supremo coffee has many loyal followers, mainly due to the taste, the resealable packaging, and the price.
This blend is also available in a water-process decaf.
- Mild, sweet, and rich with a very smooth cocoa toned finish
- 2Lb Bag - Medium-Dark roast - Drip ground Arabica coffee - GMO Free
- Medium bodied with low acidity
- Artisan Roasted in Small Batches for Optimum Freshness
- REFUNDABLE - Try Don Pablo Risk-Free: Buy now, and if you don't love our coffees, contact Burke Brands LLC directly through our Amazon Seller page, and we will happily refund your order.
for the budding home Barista
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If a less acidic coffee is what you're searching for, many reviewers state that they are able to drink this coffee without any ill effects, and they appreciate the affordability of the product.
- ORIGIN - Subtle Earth Organic Coffee features beans sourced from Honduras that gives the coffee a full bodied, deep, rich, chocolatey flavor with a clean finish and low acidity.
- AROMATIC NOTES - This whole bean coffee blend tastes of smooth milk chocolate with notes of honey, caramel, and cocoa. The slight caramelization of the natural sugars in the bean gives this Medium-Dark coffee a touch of roastiness, while retaining its natural flavor character with a sweet and pleasant aftertaste.
- EXPERTLY ROASTED - We artisan roast our coffee beans in small batches just prior to shipping to ensure peak flavor and optimal freshness.
- QUALITY (& RESPONSIBILITY) - Our Medium-Dark roast beans are “Specialty” rated and expertly roasted for consistent quality. . Our coffee is ethically sourced and USDA Organic Certified. Keto and vegan friendly and gluten and nut free.
- REFUNDABLE - Try Don Pablo Risk-Free: Buy now, and if you don't love our coffees, contact us directly through Amazon, and we will happily refund your order.
for the budding home Barista
Highlights
Considerations
Bottom Line:
Folgers Simply Smooth Coffee delivers a mellow and balanced flavor specially roasted to reduce certain irritants associated with stomach discomfort. While it is not stated or marketed specifically as 'low acid' coffee, many happy reviewers have found they can drink this coffee with no ill effects.
- Contains 1 - 31.1 Ounce AromaSeal Canister of Folgers Simply Smooth Ground Coffee
- Mild roast coffee with mellow and balanced flavor.Does Not Contain Any of the 8 Major Allergens
- Specially roasted to reduce certain irritants associated with stomach discomfort
- Stored in an AromaSeal canister for freshness
- Makes up to 240 suggested strength 6 fl oz servings per canister
TIP: Consider making your coffee with a French Press. The coarse ground coffee will help lower the acidity in the brewing process.
Can You Lower the Acidity in Your Current Coffee Brand?
If you're up for a bit of experimentation with your current brand of coffee, here are some suggestions we've gathered for you to consider that may lower the acidity:
- You may assume that adding milk to your coffee will do the trick, but milk is slightly acidic and may not be the best choice. Instead, choose almond milk. Almonds are alkaline and can help neutralize the acidity level of the coffee. And as a bonus, it's a low-calorie food.
- Add a tiny sprinkle of baking soda to your brewed cup of joe. It is flavorless, is found as an active ingredient in many antacids, and can help neutralize the pH of the coffee.
- Sprinkle a little bit of salt on your coffee grounds before brewing. It can help make the coffee less bitter as well as acting as an acid neutralizer. Pretty cool.
- Use an acid reducer for your coffee. It will produce a chemical reaction that neutralizes some of the acids in the coffee, and won't affect the flavor.
- choose a dark roast over a light roast
- use a coarser grind
- brew with a French press (yep, it uses a coarse grind of coffee)
- consider making cold brew coffee
Are There Health Benefits to Drinking Low Acid Coffee?
Certainly, if you find that drinking your go-to brand of java results in uncomfortable heartburn, an upset stomach, or acid reflux, switching to a low acid coffee brand can help.
Your teeth will thank you, too, as the reduced acidity will go easier on the enamel.
Most low acid coffee is a medium to dark roast, and it may have a touch less caffeine that a regular light roast coffee. But overall, no, low acid coffee is caffeinated coffee.
Low acid coffee, as with other types of coffee, is available from a variety of coffee manufacturers, and each one will have a unique taste. Will the different brands all taste the same? No. Do all of the low acid coffee brands taste different than regular coffee? Not really. It is a personal preference. There is caffeine in low acid coffee.
Low acid coffee is naturally lower in pH than regular coffee. Why? It is grown in an area that naturally produces a lower acidity, it is processed in a way that encourages lower acidity, and it's roasted to a lower acidity. Low acid coffee will always be 100% arabica coffee.
Low acid coffee can be easier on your sensitive stomach, or if you suffer from acid reflux. So if you are one of those folks, then low acid coffee could benefit you in that your java drinking experience would be less likely to result in discomfort.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach. It is not pleasant, and some people find that drinking coffee aggravates this condition. Low acid coffee is naturally lower in acid and therefore may not cause an unpleasant reaction.
Conclusion
If you've found that drinking regular coffee causes discomfort (or worse), a less acidic coffee may provide the solution that will let you continue to enjoy the java you love, while lessening or eliminating the unpleasantness.
We sincerely hope you find the low acid coffee brand that will give you the pleasure without the pain!
RESOURCES:
Candi Randolph is a coffee lover, blogger, and content creator who loves to share her knowledge with the coffee-drinking world. You'll often find her tending to her coffee bar at home, deciding which method to use to brew her next cup of java. Life is full of important decisions!
Last Updated on November 26, 2022
