It might not surprise that acidity is essential to your cuppa joe. It can make or break your day and can be the difference between a refreshing cup of coffee or feeling yucky afterward with a stomach ache. Low-acid coffee has been gaining steam as a good alternative to regular coffee. It is a coffee type with a lower pH level and, therefore, less acidic. It is often preferred by people who are sensitive to acid or have gastrointestinal issues, as it is easier on the stomach.
Best Low Acid Coffee Beans
Acidity is determined by a few factors, such as coffee type, roasting, brewing, and even the size of the grounds. On the pH scale of 0-14, 0 is essentially battery acid, 14 is soapy water, 7 and above is considered somewhere in the middle, and 5 is less acidic than usual. Low-acid coffee can be made from various coffee beans but is typically made from Arabica beans, which naturally have a lower acidity. It can also be made through “de-gassing,” where the beans are roasted at a lower temperature or soaked in water to reduce acidity.
1: Lifeboost Coffee Whole Bean Medium Roast Coffee
Ethically sourced coffee from the mountains of Central America Lifeboost prides itself on being single origin, fairly traded, and grown in high-elevation for the lowest acid coffee. Hand-selected, and hand-washed, you can trust that Lifeboost is not only a fantastic experience but also a healthy one! Lifeboost is certified organic and third-party tested for mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and over 400 other toxins to ensure a safe bean. Easy on your teeth and your stomach, Lifeboost brings a medium roast with a balanced flavor.
- Ethically sourced, certified organic & fair trade
- Less acidic than other options
- Tested to be pure and free of toxins
- Flexible purchase options for ground vs. whole bean
2: Volcanica Low Acid Coffee Medium Roast
Volcanica is on the shortlist because it brings an ultra low pH level of about 5.2-5.3, which is less than typical coffees on the market. Medium roasted, this blend of Brazil, Sumatra, and other Arabica beans is one of the few coffees that advertises a low altitude origin. Flavor notes of chocolate, nuts, and tangerine, this coffee is one of the few coffees that boast being vegan and kosher. Pros:
- Ultra low ph is easier on the stomach than most brands
- Kosher / Vegan / Gluten-free
- Smooth
3: Minimalist Luxe Organic Medium Dark Roast
This delicious non-GMO organic whole bean low acid coffee is made from clean, authentic, natural coffee beans. USDA certified organic, these beans are freshly roasted and immediately packed and sealed for freshness. Made from 100% pure Arabica coffee beans, Minimalist Luxe uses one source located in Papau New Guinea. This is important because the coffee is not a blend. Grown in high altitude for the best quality beans and flavor, you can grind your beans to your liking. Pros:
- Excellent taste
- Low acid coffee
- Single Sourced
4: Black Rifle Coffee Ground Medium Roast
Black Rifle Coffee’s medium roast was developed to be the best low acid drip coffee you’ll ever taste. With a bold taste, and featuring natural vanilla and cocoa aromas it is a super smooth experience that’ll have you wanting more. Available as either ground or whole bean, this blend of Colombian and Brazilian coffee beans are sourced with extreme care. This company has the added advantage of does its part to help U.S military veterans with a commitment to hire 10,000 veterans to provide opportunities to their community. Black Rifle also prides itself in hiring Afghan refugees, providing them with the opportunity of a lifetime. Pros:
- Excellent coffee
- Flexible buying options
- Provides thousands of jobs in America
5: Coffee Land Dark Roast Brazil Coffee
Cultivated at 3,600 feet in Brazil, Coffee Land Dark Roast Brazil Coffee is a single origin non-GMO Brazil whole bean coffee that strictly uses 100% Arabica coffee beans. Roasted to perfection with tight quality controls, Coffee Land promises a low acid coffee with hints of toffee, milk chocolate, and dark caramel. This coffee is perfect for any method of brewing. Pros:
- Non-GMO
- Single origin
- Interesting flavors of toffee, milk chocolate, and dark caramel
Cons:
- Slightly more oily than what some might be used to
6: Stone Street Cold Brew Coffee Low Acid Dark Roast
Stone Street is roasted in my home town of Brooklyn, New York. Their dark roast supremo beans are sourced from the largest and highest quality beans from Colombia. The darker roast makes for a low acid, nutty-chocolate flavor which happens to be perfect for cold brew concentrate. This coffee can just as easily grind for traditional hot coffee using any means you desire as it is whole bean. Described as a serious coffee for serious New Yorkers, Stone Street Coffee prides itself on sourcing organic, fair trade, rain forest safe, and Kosher beans. Pros:
- Roasted in the the United States
- Excellent flavor
- Perfect for ultra low acid if cold brewed
- Kosher
7: Lucy Jo’s Coffee Roastery Low Acid Blend
Certified organic and low on acid, this medium dark Brazilian blend is extremely easy on the stomach. It is apparently about 70% less acidic than a traditional cup of coffee! Made in smaller batches of 100% Arabica beans from Indonesia, Lucy Jo’s promises to bring a smooth, sweet, and a little spice to your cup. Family run you can rest knowing that they ensure the highest quality coffee that is roasted in Upstate New York. Pros:
- 70% less acid than traditional coffee
- One of the less expensive options on the list
- Small batch
8: Java Planet Colombia Alliance Low Acid Medium Dark Roast
Part of the rain forest alliance, this low acid coffee made by Java Planet is a full-body Colombia known for its delicious fruit tones. Perfect for folks looking for a less acidic coffee, this medium dark roast certified organic by the USDA. Non-GMO and part of the rain forest alliance, Java Planet is dedicated to fair wages and sustainable development that you can feel good about helping. Pros:
- Organic & non-GMO
- Small batch size
- Multiple bag sizes are available
Low Acid Coffee Roasting
Generally speaking, you’ll want to look to see if a coffee lists its pH level and you’ll want to edge towards a darker roast, which is typically less acidic. Some blends are naturally less sour like Sumatra, while other coffee beans are roasted for longer durations to reduce acidity. Cold brew coffee beans are also good contenders for a less acidic experience because they, too typically use a darker roast. Additionally, the cold brewing process that takes 12-24 hours, results in a less acidic coffee concentrate than hot brewing methods.
Low Acid Coffee Brewing
Low-acid coffee brewing is a method of preparing coffee that aims to reduce the amount of acidity in the final cup. This is often desirable for those sensitive to acid or having digestive issues. There are a few different ways to brew low-acid coffee:
- Choose a low-acid coffee bean: Some coffee beans naturally contain less acid than others. Look for beans labeled as low acid or “mild” when shopping for coffee.
- Use cold water: Brewing coffee with cold water instead of hot water can help reduce the amount of acidity in the final cup.
- Brew with a pour-over method: Pour-over brewing methods like the Chemex or Hario V60 tend to produce a lower acid coffee than other methods like drip brewing or espresso.
- Add a pinch of salt to your coffee grounds can help neutralize some of the acidity in the final cup.
- Use a water filter: Filtering your water before brewing can help reduce the amount of minerals in the water, which can contribute to acidity.
Conclusion
Our favorite coffee of the bunch is the LifeBoost coffee because it is ethically sourced, tested, and verified to be the best ‘buy’ all around. Not only can you rest easy knowing that your coffee is coming from the best ingredients and supply chain possible, but you can also rest assured that your stomach will thank you later! If you want to learn more about the cold brewing process, please check out our guide!