Coffee is one of the top three consumed commodities in the world and something most coffee lovers simply can not live without. However not all of us are created equal and many coffee drinkers are sensitive to acidic foods and drinks and suffer from acid reflux, GERD and heartburn as well as tooth decay.
Add in those who suffer from IBS (irritable bowl disease) and those who just end up with a sour stomach and you have a need for a lower acid coffee option. Cutting out coffee just wont be an option and we don't dare recommend you switch to decaf (yeah, we said decaf).
Acids in coffee also effect the flavor profile and will give those bright and tart flavors that many coffee drinkers enjoy.
So you may be asking, how do I know if a coffee is lower in acidity and what are some of the best options. Keep reading as we showcase the 5 best low acid coffee options.
Our Top 5 Low Acid Coffee Options:
- Volcanica Low Acid Coffee Blend
- Invader Coffee Air Roasted Blends
- Lifeboost Dark Roast
- Volcanica Komodo Dragon Roast
- Healthwise Low Acid Supremo Coffee
But before we break down each option, lets look at what can impact the overall acidity of coffee so you can get the best cup possible from these brands.
What To Look For When Choosing A Low Acid Coffee
- The Roast - Darker roast will be less acidic than light roast. As the beans are roasted longer, some of the acidity will burn off leading to a lower acid coffee. Air roasted coffee is also a great low acid option.
- Caffeine Content - While highly caffeinated coffee sounds appealing, caffeine can actually increase acid production in your stomach leading to more acid reflux.
- The Beans - Arabica coffee beans are more acidic than Robusta beans but Robusta has up to 4 times more caffeine which can counteract the lower acidity levels.
- The Origin - Coffee beans from Ethiopia, Mexico and Central America have lover acidity levels compared to other regions.
- Brewing Method - Cold Brew coffee will be less acidic than regular hot brewed coffee.
- Freshness - Consuming your coffee quickly and not letting it sit around will prevent a greater release of quinic acid which is known to sour stomachs.
1. Volcanica Low Acid Coffee Blend
PROS |
CONS |
Medium roasted - Great aroma | A blend and no a single origin option |
Higher caffeine content | Less consistent flavor as a blend |
Naturally low acid beans | |
An affordable option |
2. Invade Air Roasted Original Blend
PROS |
CONS |
Slow Air Roasting Process | Slightly expensive for single bags |
Veteran Owned | Less Caffeine Content |
Uses 100% Premium Arabica Beans | |
All their blends are lower in acid due to the air roasting process |
3. Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee
PROS |
CONS |
Organic, Fair Trade, Non GMO & Pesticide Free | Relatively expensive |
Premium 100% Arabica coffee beans | Less Caffeine Content |
Bold and consistent dark roast flavor | |
Great aroma when brewing |
4. Volcanica Komodo Dragon
This roast has a hint of tobacco, cocoa and some floral notes for a slightly sweet cup of coffee and will maintain a higher caffeine content due to the medium roast.
We like that this single origin is Rainforest Alliance certified and carefully roasted, wet hull processed and from Flores Island in Bali which is known for its high elevation.
You can save a little and get free shipping on orders over $60 on all Volcanica's coffee flavors and blends.
PROS |
CONS |
Reasonably priced | Only slightly less acidic |
Single origin, kosher and Rainforest Certified | Earthier flavor which is not a match for everyone |
Volcanica only roast after order for freshness | |
100% Komodo beans and not a blend |
5. Healthwise Low Acid Supremo
Healthwise Low Acid Supremo makes the list mostly as the most cost conscious option. Healthwise uses what they called their trademarked TechnoRoasting process to produce a low acid coffee that still contains beneficial vitamins, nutrients and and minerals and is made with Colombian coffee beans.
To be as honest as possible, the flavor and aroma is more along the lines of a mass produced coffee and does not match the small batch brands above. It can also have a slightly bitter flavor profile especially due to the larger can and chance that the coffee goes stale over time.
The bitterness is likely why some reviews report upset stomachs when drinking Healthwise Coffee.
PROS |
CONS |
Low Price Option | Tends to be bitter |
One of the lower acid options | Pretty weak overall flavor |
Available in bulk sizes | Not a strong aroma when brewing |
Some people report it causes an upset stomach |
Other Low Acid Coffee's
While we could add many other brands to this list we figured we would include two more as honorable mention.
For those looking for a high caffeine content coffee with a low acidity check your Black Insomnia Coffee. This brand is 6x stronger than most other coffees and uses Robusta beans for a lower acidity level. If you find caffeine does not effect your stomach, try this one for a extra boost.
Our next option is Tyler's Acid Free Coffee. Advertised as the World's First Acid Free Coffee we kept this one off the list due to it's higher price point and the fact that for many the slight acidity in other brands provides just enough of a sweet fruity and floral flavor profile.
So Which Coffee Is Best?
We will leave this up to you to try. As each person will prefer a different roast, flavor profile and bitterness we find calling one the best is more an opinion that will vary.
However in terms of overall quality, flavor and health claims we would put Lifeboost at the top. The only reason we kept it from the top spot above is due to their more expensive price which may not be ideal for every coffee drinker.
Keep in mind that if you require a lower acid stomach friendly coffee you will find most carry with them a higher price. This is one type of coffee we find to be worth the extra cost as lower acid coffee requires premium beans, small batch roasting and finding coffee beans from specialty regions around the world.
Check out 9 other ways to avoid or lessen the effects coffee has on acid reflux.
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