Rather than being a measure of the PH level, acidity in coffee is one of the primary flavor characteristics that can also include body, aroma, sweetness, bitterness, and aftertaste. Insufficient acidity can cause coffee to turn out bland or uninteresting.
Individuals who suffer from a sensitive digestive system might experience repercussions from consuming high-grade coffee, such as acid reflux or stomach upset, because of the increased amounts of natural acids. Individuals whose digestion process is normal can tolerate the helpful acids in coffee, however there is still a demand for coffee that is low in acidity.
Best Low Acid Coffees
A good place to begin when looking for coffees that are low in acidity is to consider the country of origin. The size and variety of any nation mean the acidity in its wine can vary; however, it is a good starting point to help limit your selection.
Coffees that are grown in areas with a low elevation don’t contain as much acidity since they don’t go through as much of the growing process. Therefore, they are the least acidic kind of coffee. Coffee processed with the natural method typically has a lower acidity level.
There is a drawback here in that the coffee will not have as potent of an effect. Coffees with low acidity typically do not please those who consider themselves coffee connoisseurs. However, coffee is a highly subjective matter, so ultimately only your own preference should count.
Acidity in coffee is seen as a good thing since it adds a lively touch to the taste and makes the other characteristics of the beverage more prominent. Coffee has anti-oxidant properties because of the organic acids present, but this may not be beneficial for everyone due to the potential drawbacks.
Roast Level for Lower Acidity
Choosing a coffee of low-acidity origin is the primary factor to consider, however the way in which the coffee is roasted can also have an effect on decreasing its acidity. Generally, the acids which are inside coffee are taken from natural sources. When roasting for a longer time, more of these acids will be burned, which means that they will not be present in the beverage when it is made.
A roasting process that is deeper in color will usually show less acidity than lighter roasted coffees since the organic acids are broken down during the roasting.
The two leading organic components of coffee that are commonly associated with digestive issues are N-alkanoly-5-hydroxytryptamides and catechols. In contrast, substances like N-methyl pyridinium (NMP) have been demonstrated to soothe upset stomachs – it is NMP that is present at increased amounts in darker-roasted coffee beans than in those that are lighter-roasted.
Cold Brewing’s Effect on Low Acidity
Those who have an intolerance to coffee may prefer cold brew because it is brewed with a reduced temperature of the coffee beans over a longer duration. A higher temperature is necessary to release certain acidic elements present in coffee, which is not possible through cold brewing.
Generally, a deeper roast is the best type of coffee to use for cold brew, which decreases the acidity even further.
In conclusion, making it smoother with milk or an alternate can be a more agreeable choice for your digestion.
Decaf Coffee Is Good for Low Acid
The method used to isolate caffeine also removes a lot of the other components that are present in unroasted coffees. No matter what way they take caffeine out – Swiss water, carbon dioxide, or other liquids – the process removes more than just caffeine, which diminishes the concentration of additional acids.
No matter what type of decaffeination process is used, some of the beneficial compounds will be removed from the coffee, but it still won’t be bad for your health. It is often misunderstood that solvents are not as healthy as CO2 or swiss water, however the heat involved in roasting coffee is far much more than the temperature at which solvents evaporate, which means that no chemical residue is left in the freshly roasted coffee.
Chicory is sometimes mixed in with coffee to reduce its sharpness, providing a more pleasant drink for those that are sensitive to acidic flavors.
Low Acid Coffee Brands
Brands of coffee (e.g. Puroast) which claim to be low in acidity are mainly just well promoted and presented. There is nothing exclusive or proprietary about their coffees.
Any company can produce coffee that has a low acid content, and quite a few coffees possess this quality even though they are not advertised as being low-acid. If you desire a cup of coffee with lower acidity that is produced by a particular label, we suggest searching for this variety.
- one of the low-acid coffees above (brazil, Sumatra, Nicaragua)
- dark roasted
From there, you’ll ideally want to cold-brew the coffee. K-cups prevent it from being possible, but you can make cold brew coffee with a french press which is very cheap to obtain as a separate brewing tool.
About Coffee Acidity
Acidity is a basic taste and one of the major coffee taste characteristics along with:
- body
- aroma
- sweetness
- bitterness
- aftertaste
Cuppers are professionals who utilize specific traits to evaluate and contrast various coffees’ levels of quality. The acidic nature of coffee is a desirable trait since the acids mix with the sugars and make the coffee more flavorful and full-bodied.
Coffee will be lacking in flavor and unappealing if it has no acidity. Acidity in coffee is seen as a great attribute and is a pleasing sharpness when sensed in the front of the mouth, numbness on the tip of the tongue, and even a dry sensation on the back of the palate and sides of the tongue. It denotes the quality of the beverage.
Acidity that is of high quality gives off a flavor that is sweet, fresh, and tangy, making the other tastes of the coffee become more prominent. Coffees that are famous for their tasty acidity contain Kenya AA, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.
A strong acidity will have a sharp and harsh flavor, often resembling a chemical-like taste.
Roast Level Affect on Acidity
Lighter coffee roasts often display a more intense acidity than darker roasts because they include organic compounds such as chlorogenic acid, which are known to give coffee an acidic component. Due to the roasting process, the organic chemicals in the substance are slowly broken down, and the sugars become caramelized, reducing the overall level of acidity and creating a sweeter taste.
The pH level will usually become less strong or noticeable when coffee beans are toasted for longer – usually lighter roasts have a higher level of acidity than when beans are roasted to a darker or espresso level.
Heating up a coffee bean for longer periods of time will lead to more decomposition of the health-promoting chlorogenic acids, which gives the lighter roasts their acidic taste. An espresso roast will have less of an acidic taste than a lighter or medium roasted coffee.
The Best Low-Acid Coffee for Sensitive Stomachs
Check out these coffees that have a low amount of acidity!
Lifeboost Coffee Organic Medium Roast
The medium-roasted beans of Lifeboost Coffee are the best among all the low-acid coffees we have looked at. This coffee has not had anything altered, therefore its low acidity can be determined from the location in which it was grown and the methods used in cultivation.
This Nicaraguan coffee is certified organic, sourced from a single place of origin, not genetically modified, ethically traded, meeting Jewish dietary regulations, and grown in shaded areas at altitudes higher than 5,700 feet. The last description is not very common, since most types of low-acid coffee are grown at lower altitudes.
Coffee that is grown in the shade has a desirable and intricate taste because the coffee berries get the opportunity to develop, which permits the natural sugars in the berries to become exposed and contribute to the flavor of your ultimate beverage. Only two percent of the world’s coffee is grown under shade, and Lifeboost is the leading member of that small proportion.
Producers select only the finest beans from coffee plants when they are fully grown, then take them outside and let them dry in the sun while controlling the humidity to make sure they don’t become molded. Eventually, the beans are roasted at a low temperature to provide a creamy and mellow coffee with hints of chocolate and caramel, and no unpleasant aftertaste.
We had to ensure that Lifeboost Coffee is authentic, so we sampled a cup of the organization’s coffee with pH test strips and it tested out at a pH of six. It is important to recall that seven is the midpoint on the pH scale, thus the coffee in this instance was not greatly dissimilar from being a neutral liquid.
Fabula Coffee Medium Roast
Fabula Coffee is committed to providing all individuals with organic, nourishing, and delicious coffee drinks. Their purpose is to make it available and accessible to any and all. Each bag has a label stating that it is animal product-free, made without modified organisms, mildly acidic, and sourced from one specific region.
Fabula works closely with small farms that cultivate organic coffee which is grown under the shade in higher altitudes. Furthermore, they have independent labs test the product for pesticides and fungi.
Additionally, they also have a project dedicated to preserving the environment; this involves planting a tree for each bag of coffee they sell in partnership with the non-profit organization One Tree Planted.
The most requested roast from Fabula is the medium. It offers a pleasant combination of flavors, namely nuts, brown sugar, chocolate and mild fruit. By choosing this low-acid coffee, you can enjoy a nutritious, flavourful, and freshly roasted brew that is beneficial for both your health and the environment.
Purity Organic Coffee
Purity Coffee crafts a premium quality coffee blend by combining data from the scientific, coffee, and medical sectors. In addition, this coffee is organic and delicious. All of their items, such as the average roast, strong roast, decaffeinated coffee, coffee capsules, regular delivery, and more, provide plentiful vitamins and antioxidants.
Purity Coffee takes steps to preserve the local habitats and the plantations that supply their flavorful beans. They ensure coffee, soil, and other eco-friendly resources are kept safe and secure, showing that they have a mindful attitude towards the environment.
This is an excellent selection that not only promotes your well-being due to its advantageous health aspects, unprocessed legumes, and lack of acidic content, but it is also beneficial to the environment.
Golden Ratio Low Acid Coffee
Many believe Golden Ratio is the ideal for coffee that is low in acidity and gentle on the stomach. A large portion of coffee beans are roasted beyond the initial crack, however Golden Ratio’s Ethiopian and Brazilian beans never reach that point, meaning that the coffee created is not overly roasted and it is easy on the digestive tract.
Although the beans from Golden Ratio are sustainably grown and roasted at a low temperature, they still possess a unique and robust flavor, which may be unfamiliar yet still enjoyable compared to the regular coffee taste. This beverage possesses a nutty tea like flavor instead of traditional coffee characteristics, so it may be worth trying nonetheless, as it might turn out to be the coffee you were seeking.
Experience the taste of this product in three different varieties: regular, Spiced Chai, or Vanilla Coconut!
Puroast Coffee Dark French Roast
Puroast’s Venezuelan-style beans are cooked over a slow-burning wood fire, leading to a coffee with almost three-quarters less acidity than other notable firms’ regular coffee
This exquisite coffee contains a large amount of antioxidants – surpassing the amount of green tea by seven times and other coffees by five times. Moreover, Puroast only utilizes high-grade coffee beans to make this rich and fragrant dark coffee. This food has no calories, does not contain any gluten, does not include any additional substances, and is acceptable for people who follow the Jewish dietary laws.
We suggest a super-dark, smoky French roast of Puroast beans. Nevertheless, this brand offers a wide array of items that come in various tastes, origins, and levels of roasting. Despite not having a preference for French roasts, the likelihood of discovering a different kind of Puroast coffee is great.
Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast Coffee
Beginning the day with a mug of Mexican coffee is satisfying, and the feeling is even more enhanced when you recognize the drink will not cause GERD or heartburn. That’s where Simpatico’s low-acid dark roast comes into play.
In Oaxaca, Mexico, these beans are farmed by employing an ecologically-friendly shade-growing method. This does not involve the use of any chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides, resulting in beans that are certified organic. Once the 100 percent arabica beans have been collected, they are taken to Simpatico’s Michigan plant to be carefully and methodically roasted in small batches, packaged, and then sent directly out to consumers to make beverages.
Put some Simpatico coffee beans in your automatic drip brewing system, and in no time you’ll be able to enjoy a rich cup of coffee with delicious fruity tones and a velvety texture.
Java Planet Colombian Organic Medium Dark Roast Coffee
Java Planet, a business operated by a family, is devoted to creating beans that taste fantastic and also have health benefits. The beans are not only highly unlikely to bring about any sort of uneasiness, but can also boast about being free of genetically-modified organisms and endorsed by the United States Department of Agriculture as an organic product.
Mother Nature benefits from Java Planet’s quality product, since this coffee has been certified by the Rainforest Alliance. This implies that wildlife habitats and the environment are not endangered during the production process.
The coffee brewed from beans that all come from one location in Colombia is dried and roasted in small batches in order to keep it fresh and maintain the flavor. This coffee will provide you with a harmonious flavor, a hint of fruitiness, a robust flavor, and a low level of sourness.