Low-acid coffee is a good option for people with stomach issues, but what is low acid coffee? What makes it different from regular coffee, and how does it help you?
Low-acid coffee is coffee with a pH level of 5 or above. It is often recommended as an alternative to a regular cup of coffee for people who suffer from acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other stomach issues.
Most coffee has a pH level between 4.85 and 5.10, which is far more acidic than water’s neutral pH of 7. Thus, if you are inclined to have digestion issues, having several cups of Joe every day might exacerbate the problem.
You can always go for less-acidic options, like chicory or certain teas, but that means giving up on your morning pick-me-up when you may not have to. Alternatively, low-acid coffee could allow you to enjoy your daily coffee without the need to be worrying.
Acidity in Coffee
When someone says, ‘This coffee has an acidic taste,’ they are likely referring to that initial bitter flavor you get when sipping certain coffee. In fact, acidity in coffee isn’t always a bad thing.
When we use words like “bright” or “zingy,” we are likely referring to a pleasant taste provided by the acid in the coffee. Every type of coffee has naturally occurring acids that can affect the flavor of your cup. Quinic, malic, citrus, tartaric, and even acetic acids occur in coffee.
Malic acid is most closely associated with green apples – it’s a sharp, fresh taste. While citric acid is a zesty acid that gives us the bright taste in the likes of lemons and oranges, tartaric acid is grape-like, and acetic is a more vinegary-tasting type of acid.
However, quinic acids are the acids that appear within coffee and play havoc on people who have stomach issues. They have a bitter, astringent taste and are the likely culprits for that nasty feeling of indigestion you may get after a cup of coffee.
They occur when chlorogenic acid is broken down at a high temperature, which usually happens during roasting.
What Is Low Acid Coffee and The pH Scale
A pH scale is a tool used to measure acid and alkaline levels. The lower the number on the scale, the more acidic (0-7). Whereas the higher on the scale (7-14), the more alkaline or basic, and the neutral level is in the middle at 7.
A low-acid coffee is a brew that is much closer to that neutral level than a regular cup of coffee. Your average cup of coffee lies at about 4.90 on the scale.
How Is Low Acid Coffee Made
Several factors naturally decrease the acidity levels in coffee. For instance, lower-altitude coffee-producing countries tend to grow coffee with less acid.
Sumatra, an island in Indonesia, as well as Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, and Nicaragua are regions that produce low-acid coffee.
Because quinic acid is a byproduct of the roasting process, darker roast coffee is also more acidic than its light roast counterpart. Thus, the roast level is something you should consider if you are searching for a low-acid coffee option on Amazon.
Lighter roast coffees from the above countries, where the beans aren’t overheated or left to sit for too long, tend to sit closest to neutrality on the pH scale.
Low Acid Coffee: 5 Of The Best
I scanned the internet for brands offering a low-acid option. Here are my top five.
1. Volcanica Low Acid Coffee Blend
Volcanica is one of the best online coffee companies, offering some of the finest gourmet coffee blends on the market. And this whole-bean medium roast blend is one of their best coffees. It is made from naturally low-acidity beans and sourced from lower-altitude countries like Brazil and Sumatra.
It is a low-key blend that will be gentle on your stomach.
2. Puroast Organic House Blend
Puroast is known for making rich, smooth, and savory coffee. They roast their coffee beans over a wood fire, which results in bold low acid coffee beans with 70% lower acidity than some of their competitors. The blend is also filled with antioxidants.
With conscious coffee roasting, Puroast has taken the fight against high-acid coffee to a new level. Here, the roaster not only considers the taste but also where the coffee will land on the pH scale. If you have heartburn, acid reflux, or ulcers, this coffee is for you.
3. Java Planet Organic Medium Dark Roast Coffee
This coffee blend is light and not bitter on the tongue. Java Planet uses Arabica beans from Guatemala to create an option all coffee lovers will adore. The beans are also shade-grown and are untainted by pesticides.
The flavor profile of this roast contains floral undertones and hints of chocolate, caramel, and pecan.
4. Mommee Coffee Half Caff Organic Coffee
This coffee is processed in a way that excludes harsh chemicals. The beans have been tested, and they have acid levels that are much lower than most other coffees. They are especially low in chlorogenic acid, which is one of the causes of acid reflux.
5. Tieman’s Fusion Coffee
Now for something a little different. This blend incorporates matcha green Tea, rooibos red tea, and goji berry powders. Green tea is an energy booster, red tea settles the stomach, and berry powders are anti-inflammatory.
The coffee beans are Arabica sourced from Guatemala, Ecuador, and Colombia. They are blended and roasted to produce a low-acid brew. Tieman claims that this coffee offers five times the recommended requirement for antioxidant protection.
Benefits of Drinking Low-Acid Coffee
The health benefits of low-acid coffee depend on the coffee and the individual drinking it. However, the below are just some of the positive side effects reported by coffee drinkers who switch their regular brew to low-acid coffee.
Helps With Digestion
Low-acid coffee is known to be easier than regular coffee on the likes of IBS, gastric ulcers, and heartburn. It can be an excellent option that’s easier on the stomach.
Better For Teeth
It is widely known that low-acid coffee has a less damaging effect on drinkers’ teeth. If you are worried about discoloration, you should know that almost all coffee (especially when taken black) will have an effect, but it is thought that low-acid coffee is less damaging.
Better For Working Out
Low-acid coffee can be more workout-friendly too. Acid reflux and GERD can be seriously problematic when you’re working out, so having a caffeine option that can reduce the effects of those issues is incredibly useful. If you’re unsure if a morning espresso is a good idea before your daily workout, you should read this guide to coffee as a pre-workout.
Less Bitter taste
High-acid coffee can be bitter to taste, so this alternative option can give you a brew that is easier on your taste buds and your stomach. If you prefer a less harsh taste, then it may be a good idea for you to make low-acid coffee your regular go-to.
Low Acid Coffee: An Option To Consider
Low-acid coffee is a great option to reduce the problems associated with acid reflux, GERD, and other stomach issues. However, it should be remembered that it often contains the same amount of caffeine as regular coffee (unless you go for decaf coffee).
Thus, if you consume it, you should still proceed cautiously. Acid content isn’t the only area coffee lovers with health issues should know about. For instance, a large amount of caffeine can lead to other digestive issues.
So, if you have a sensitive stomach, proceed with moderation in mind.
