How to Decrease the Acidity of Coffee
All coffee is acidic, which is why many people experience a burning sensation in the chest, or even full-blown acid reflux symptoms after enjoying a cup or two of their favorite brews. For some, this means avoiding coffee altogether, while for others it simply means dealing with the discomfort after drinking it.
Acidity in coffee isn’t all bad though: it refers to the bean’s flavor profiles and balance and shouldn’t be avoided altogether. Luckily, you don't have to avoid coffee or deal with the side effects of acidity. Here are a few strategies on how you can decrease the acidity of coffee, no matter what time of day it is.
Choose the Right Coffee
The kind of coffee you buy will make a big difference in heartburn and acid reflux. For example, coffee that is grown in higher regions tends to have higher acidity levels, so, whenever possible, find out where coffee is sourced before you buy it.
Darker roasts also tend to be less acidic, so bear this in mind when you make your choice.
You can find 6 different types of acid in coffee blends, and each one works in its way to affect your coffee’s overall flavor profile.
- Chlorogenic acid
- Citric acid
- Malic acid
- Phosphoric acid
- Acetic acid
- Quick acid
Too many of these acids and the taste of your coffee will be altered significantly. Too little of them, and your coffee won’t taste like much. If you suffer from digestive issues or acid reflux, you will be much more comfortable with less acidic coffees.
Choosing dark roasts that come from lower regions is a good starting point. Caffeine levels affect the acidity of your brew, so by choosing a darker roast you will be left with a smoother, less intense brew. The roasting time is a huge factor in determining the flavor profile of a coffee: lighter roasts tend to have more chlorogenic acids (full of antioxidants and acidity), whilst darker roasts tend to have more quinic acids.
The location of origin of your coffee also plays an important role: coffees with naturally lower acidic levels usually come from Brazil, India, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. Always check your labels before buying coffee- some also go through a process to reduce acidity, which is an interesting option for those who suffer from acidic coffees.
Try Making Cold Brew
If hot coffee gives you heartburn, try making cold brew coffee instead. Cold brew coffee has less acidity than its hot counterpart - it is said that cold brews have up to 70% less acidity! This method of brewing is slow and needs a couple of hours.
By using cold water instead of hot water, you are allowing the fats and oils in your grounds to break up more slowly, which will leave you with less acidity in your coffee. The hot water extracts more of these important flavor compounds with its high temperatures, so cold brewing can greatly help people with acid reflux due to acidic coffee.
How do you make cold brew? Just put some coarsely-ground coffee in a reusable container and mix it with water. Let the mixture brew in the fridge overnight and then strain it before enjoying it the next day. If you prefer hot coffee over cold, just warm your cold-brewed coffee on the stove before you drink it.
How do you make cold brew? Just put some coarsely-ground coffee in a reusable container and mix it with water. Let the mixture brew in the fridge overnight and then strain it before enjoying it the next day. If you prefer hot coffee over cold, just warm your cold-brewed coffee on the stove before you drink it.
Learn more about cold brew coffee.
Use an Acid Reducer
Nowadays, you can find products on the market that will reduce the acid in your coffee before you drink it. These work similarly to the eggshells or baking soda method, as store-bought acid reducers are simply alkaline bases that neutralize the acidity in coffee. These products are very efficient but are more costly than at-home remedies.
Just add the acid reducer to your cup or pot and enjoy it like you always do. If you choose to use an acid reducer, look for options made from all-natural ingredients that won't affect the flavor of your coffee overall.
You can always just add a little milk or cream to your coffee to reduce its acid content, as milk and cream are acidity neutralizers. They are easy, affordable, and tasty options to consider, but not everybody can handle dairy, so acid reducers are a good option for lactose-intolerant people and vegans.
Add Eggshells to Your Coffee Grounds
Calcium is acidity’s worst enemy - so naturally, when you are attempting to make your coffee less acidic, you must consider all how calcium can be added without altering the taste. Using hard water is a good option, but did you know that you could also use eggshells to make your brew smoother?
Why do eggshells work? Well, eggshells are full of calcium, which is alkaline, meaning it is a base that neutralizes the acidic components found in your coffee. Cowboys used this technique back in the early 1800s to help coffee sediment fall to the bottom of the pot and add some minerals to their brew. This technique is also good for you - your body will naturally absorb the extra calcium left over and will give you the supplements you need for the day.
If you want to try this method, all you have to do is thoroughly wash your eggshells, crush them and mix them with your coffee grounds. You won’t even know they’re there!
Don't Let Your Coffee Sit in a Thermos
Leaving your hot coffee to sit in a thermos or other insulated containers is similar to using water that is way too hot to brew your coffee. The oils and fats that shape your coffee’s taste profile and acidity need heat to release, and if there is too much of that heat, your coffee will keep brewing and releasing these precious components.
Leaving your hot coffee to sit in a thermos or other insulated containers is similar to using water that is way too hot to brew your coffee. The oils and fats that shape your coffee’s taste profile and acidity need heat to release, and if there is too much of that heat, your coffee will keep brewing and releasing these precious components.
Add Salt and Baking Soda
Another favorite method used by Cowboys back in the 1800s, adding salt and baking soda to your coffee has many benefits. For one, salt helps with rehydrating your body and reduces acidity in coffee. It also increases the pH level of coffee because it has a pH of around 9.
Baking soda, on the other hand, acts like eggshells: as an alkaline base, a chemical reaction occurs once it comes in contact with coffee (which has a pH of around 5) and neutralizes the acidic components.
Make sure to only add a small pinch of salt and baking soda to your brew because you don’t want to alter the taste of your coffee. This method works best with dark blends and is also the most accessible since most people already have salt and baking soda at home.
For a tasty, low-acid coffee experience that is sure to boost your day, try this dark roast coffee from Zavida Coffee Roasters.
Use Paper Filters Instead of Metal Filters
If you use a drip or pour-over method to brew your coffee, you may have been using reusable mesh filter baskets instead of paper filters, but did you know that using paper filters could help lessen the acidity of your coffee?
This is because paper filters trap some of the oils and fats from coffee while it brews. These oils contain acids that will alter the taste of your brew, so by trapping them in the filter you are removing the components that acidify coffee. Paper filters will also trap sediment which allows for a smoother brew.
Learn more about coffee filters.
Use Hard Water
Have you ever heard of hard water? This type of water is rich in calcium and other minerals which neutralize the acidity of coffee by overpowering the acidic components. The taste of your brew will hardly change, but it will be considerably less acidic.
The main difference between hard water and soft water is that soft water has a higher sodium content which works as an acidity booster. Therefore, using water that is enriched with minerals will help you make a smoother, less acidic cup of coffee.
Brew for a Short Time
At high temperatures, the oils and acidic components of coffee are released and break down faster. Your method of brewing greatly affects the acidity of your coffee as well as how long the beans were roasted and what temperature they reached during that process. If you allow your beans to sit in water for a longer amount of time, you are also allowing more acidity to seep into your brew.
If you are not a fan of cold brews but still wish to try a new brewing method that would make your coffee less acidic, a happy compromise would be to use water just below a boiling point or avoid temperature extremes with your beans. Aim for a water temperature of around 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit and you will be left with an acidity-free cup of joe.
Want to Learn More About Coffee?
Our other blog articles below might be just what you're looking for.
How to Store Coffee: Pantry, Fridge, or Freezer? Your Guide to Coffee Storage
How to Make Espresso Without an Espresso Machine
What are the Benefits of Making Coffee Less Acidic?
Having less acidic coffee can help people who have stomach and digestive issues, as well as acid reflux. Using some of these tips can also add some important nutrients and supplements to your daily cup of joe, like calcium in eggshells.
The most important thing though, is that you enjoy your coffee exactly the way you like it. Choosing darker roasts, such as our Premium French Roast Coffee, can also help with the acidity levels of your coffee. At the end of the day, you should only feel comfortable and happy when you drink your coffee!
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