Upset Stomach No More: A Review of Low Acid Coffee Brands
Coffee is the elixir of life – this is what any true-blue coffee lover would say. But as good as coffee is, not everyone can enjoy a cup. Some people have conditions that render them unable to enjoy the drink.
Fortunately, man has found a way to address this problem through low acid coffee brands.
Coffee is not only enjoyed by those who love its rich taste. People who lead busy lives and those who have demanding careers love it because of its function as a stimulant.
Its bold taste is enjoyable and the caffeine allows you to stay alert. This combination can brighten up any day.
Coffee Is NATURALLY Acidic
By nature, coffee is acidic. According to scientific studies, a regular coffee brew has about thirty (30) to thirty-five (35) types of acids. Most of these acids are also found in fruits like apples and oranges. Some can also be found in vinegar.
This would explain why some find it difficult to drink coffee. But due to recent developments, humans have found a way to lessen this acidity. Thus, low acid coffee was born.
Coffee producers reduce acidity by using processing methods that reduce acid levels such as the semi dry and dry process.
In these processes, the beans are dried under the sun for a few days and a hulling machine is used to remove outer layers. Dark roasting also helps reduce acid levels.
The pH value is an indicator of the acidity of certain food or substances. A pH of 14 means that the substance is far from being acidic, while a pH of 0 means a high level of acidity.
Coffee’s pH is around, which means that while it is naturally acidic, it is less acidic than orange juice
Different Types Of Low Acid Coffee
There are two types of coffee for those who cannot tolerate high acidity – treated and inadvertent.
With treated coffee, the beans are subjected to proprietary preparation and roasting methods. On the other hand, the inadvertent variety is made from beans that are naturally low in acid.
It’s the acids that give the coffee its unique, tangy flavor. Coffee brands have differing acidity levels though, and some coffee varieties have naturally low acid content.
However, green coffee naturally contains high levels of acid. Most of these acids dissipate during the roasting process.
Benefits of Drinking Coffee With Low Acidity
Some sensitive coffee lovers will also find that acid reflux and heartburn.
Coffee runs through the veins of work-driven people. The bold and rich taste of coffee brightens up any day.
However, there are individuals who have to pass up on coffee due to certain illness such as heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux), interstitial cystitis (IC) and other stomach problems.
Some studies even show that coffee can potentially lead to tooth decay. That’s why there is a need for coffee with low acid content.
In addition to being easy on the stomach which is helpful for those who suffer from heartburn and GERD, it is also easy on the teeth. The teeth’s enamel is prone to decay when exposed to harsh acids, such as those found in coffee.
Finally, this kind of coffee has high levels of antioxidants. It can potentially lower the risk of dementia, heart disease, and even cancer.
How To Make Your Coffee Less Acidic
Here are some ways that you can enjoy coffee that is not too acidic:
Use the Right Grounds or Beans
It’s best to start with coffee that is naturally low in acid content. Choose the coffee brands that are marketed as “mild” or “stomach-friendly.”
Also, darker roasts are generally lower in acid content compared to lighter roasts.
Finally, keep in mind that dark coffee from beans grown in countries with lower elevation is generally lower in acid. These countries include Hawaii, Brazil, Mexico, Guatamela, and Indonesia.
It is also found that Arabica beans have lower acid content than other beans such as Robusta and Sumatra beans.
Avoid Finely Ground Coffee
Coffee beans that have been ground too finely are more likely to release acid during the brewing process.
It’s recommended that you use coarser ground coffee because they are not as likely to release acids when brewed. If your condition is not so severe that you can test medium ground coffee, you may try it.
Use the Cold-Brewing Process
The process is quite simple – it basically refers to the process of brewing coffee using cold water.
The traditional way of preparing coffee is with the use of hot boiling water. Through the traditional method, it usually just takes a few minutes to make coffee.
However, through cold brew, it takes around 12 to 24 hours. Studies show that slow-steeped cold brew coffee has at least 70% less acid levels. Additionally, the coffee also tastes twice as strong
To make coffee with this technique, do the following steps:
Place 4 1/2 ounces of ground coffee in a mesh bag. Put the mesh bag in a 2-liter pitcher and fill it with cold water. Let the coffee brew overnight for at least 12 hours in the fridge.
Then, remove and squeeze all the remaining liquid from the mesh bag into the pitcher. The brewed liquid is a concentrated form of the coffee, so it’ll need to be diluted with hot water.
Use eggshells to neutralize acidity
Another process to make coffee less acidic is by boiling it with clean eggshells.
Heat ground coffee in cold water with crushed eggshells. When the water starts to boil, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Remove it from the heat, cover the pan, and let it sit for a minute or two. Strain to separate the liquid from the coffee grounds and eggshells
Use Salt
Adding salt might be the easiest way to neutralize the acid in coffee. It can be added to coffee grounds before or after brewing.
This makes the coffee less bitter and acidic. About 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon of salt may be used for this method. Adding more than that will make the coffee salty. This method is best to use on dark roasted blends.
Add Milk
Adding milk to a cup of coffee is also a great way to lessen acid levels. This is due to the fact that Calcium offsets acidity.
Consider Using Alkaline Water
The kind of water you use to brew coffee also has an effect on the acidity level. Try using drinkable alkaline water in order to neutralize coffee’s natural acidity. One brand you could try is Essential, which has a pH level of 9.5.
Best Low Acid Coffee Brands in The Market
The following are some of the best brands sold in the market as of writing:
Subtle Earth Organic Coffee [1] and Puroast Coffee Organic French Roast is at a tie of 4.2 stars out of five. The Subtle Earth Organic Coffee is known for its deep and rich chocolatey taste. Meanwhile, Puroast Coffee [2] is known for its sharp bold taste. However, both brands are a bit on the expensive range.
Java Planet Organic Coffee [3] is worthy of 4.8 stars out of five. Each bag contains Colombia-sourced beans packed with smooth, full-flavored coffee sans the burnt and bitter taste.
Meanwhile, we give Mommee Coffee [4] 4 and a half stars out of five. We would have given the brand a higher rating if not for its hefty price tag. Also, the marketing is geared towards women. Men might not appreciate it that much. The label of the coffee is even a silhouette of the tummy of a pregnant woman.
Healthwise Coffee [5] is worthy of 4.1 stars out of five. The coffee beans were prepared using the technoroasting process. The vitamins and nutrients were preserved using said process. However, the taste was lost.
Tieman’s Fusion Coffee [6] gets four (4) out of five stars. It contains Matcha Green Tea, Rooibos Red Tea and Goji Berry powder. The additional ingredients may be attractive to some. However, there are those that do not like these add-on flavors. Hence, the lower score.
Subtle Earth Organic Coffee is manufactured by Don Pablo Coffee Growers and Roasters. This coffee blend boasts of a deep and rich chocolatey taste topped with a crisp and clear finish. Hints of caramel, cocoa and honey could be tasted here and there.
The coffee beans originate from the Marcala region of Honduras. The Marcala region is known for coffee production. In fact, the region boasts that it is the first place for ‘protected origin denomination’ coffee. Aside from that, the region is located in high altitude, hence the coffee tastes very dense.
Additionally, Don Pablo Coffee Growers and Roasters is very proud because their coffee has been certified organic by the CCOF Trade Association. It is also non-GMO. The farmers do not use any kind fertilizer or insect repellant. Farmers plant peppers to prevent bug problems. The beans are 100% Arabica.
Subtle Earth Organic Coffee is also very versatile. It can be made in four different ways namely through the Traditional Drip Machine, French Press, Espresso Machine and Hand Drip Method. It can be bought as a whole bean in dark roast, medium dark roast and light roast. It can be bought as two (2) and five (5) pound bags or single serve cups.
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The story of Puroast Coffee started in the Venezuelan Andes. It was in 1986 when the founders of Puroast discovered hacienda de café coffee plantation. In the plantation, the founders were taught how to grow and process coffee beans in such a way that reduces their acid levels. This technology was then brought to Northern California - where the company was established and is currently located today.
In a study conducted by world-renowned scientist Dr. Shibamoto of the University of California, it was found that Puroast coffee beans were 70% less acidic compared to other leading coffee brands. It was also found that coffee with lower acid levels had significantly higher levels of antioxidants. The antioxidant levels found in Puroast beans were five (5) times higher than that of other leading coffee brands and seven (7) times higher in green tea.
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Java Planet Organic Coffee Company is situated in Tampa, Florida. The coffee made by Java Planet is not only certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture and Americert International, it is also Fair Trade certified.
The coffee beans of Java Planet originate from Colombia. Each bag contains beans packed with smooth, full-flavored coffee sans the burnt and bitter taste. Java Planet manufactures the beans in small batches so as to make sure that the beans are not overcooked.
Aside from organic coffee, Java Planet also sells Rain Forest Alliance coffee, Bird friendly coffee, Single Origin coffee, Decaffeinated coffee and other flavored coffee. The company also sells green coffee. They only have three roasts available namely medium roast, medium dark roast and dark roast.
The unique thing about this coffee is that they indicate on the label the date of roasting. Each pack is usually sent fresh just a week from roasting.
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As its name suggests, Mommee Coffee is the brand for breastfeeding mothers or soon-to-be mothers. It is guilt-free coffee for those expecting mothers. It is safe for mothers any stage of pregnancy whether it be conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Mommee Coffee is low-acid, organic, fair trade and water processed. By water processing coffee, the beans are filtered and prepared just by using water. No harmful chemicals were used in preparing the beans.
Some people say that too much coffee can be harmful to pregnant women. Some even say that much coffee can even affect fertility. To be on the safe side, Mommee Coffee is still the best coffee for expecting mothers.
Mommee Coffee is sold in four different caffeine content levels namely decaffeinated, ¼ caffeinated, ½ caffeinated and full caffeinated.
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HealthWise Coffee brands itself as gourmet coffee. It boasts of its Technoroasting process with help in reducing coffee’s acid levels. According to studies, Healthwise has a pH level of 6.1 while traditional coffee has 5.2 pH. Orange juice has a pH level of 3.3 pH and water has a pH level of 7.
Because of the low acid levels, drinkers are less likely to experience stomach irritation and heartburn after a cup of Healthwise coffee.
Aside from the aforementioned, the Technoroasting process also boosts nutrients and preserves the natural taste of the beans. Because of the technoroasting process, the vitamins, minerals, micronutrients and antioxidants are preserved and sealed in each bean. The intense heat in other bean roasting methods causes the vitamins and minerals to be lost.
As for the taste, some drinkers laud the mellow taste of Healtwise coffee. However, there were users who noted that it lacked taste.
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Tieman’s Fusion Coffee is an ultra-smooth flavor. In several tests conducted, the Tieman’s coffee tested with an average pH level range of 5.85. It is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans sourced from Central and South America. Aside from that, it is also mixed with Matcha Green Tea, Rooibos Red Tea and Goji Berry powder. Because of the added ingredients, Tieman’s Fusion Coffee has five (5) times more the antioxidants than regular coffee.
As for the taste, most drinkers noted that it tastes just like any regular coffee. However, there were those that found its aroma wanting. One drinker noted that he has difficulty with his gut and found that he had no problems drinking Tieman’s Fusion Coffee.
It is available in four variations namely Dark Roast Ground, Dark Roast Whole Bean, Decaf Semi Dark Roast and Medium Roast. It is sold as a single pack, six pack, and 30 pack.
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Euromild Low Acid Ground Coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans that undergo through a unique European coffee preparation process. Steam is utilized to remove the unwanted irritants, chemicals and acids from the beans. The result of this one-of-a-kind process is beans packed with flavor and nutrients. Euromild maintains that their ground coffee is safe for those individuals suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and interstitial cystitis (IC).
The taste is indeed very mild as it claims. It has a very smooth texture with no undesirable after taste. However, some drinkers found it too mild bordering bland.
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Simpatico Coffee was established in 2010 by Alexander Fink. All of the beans are sourced from the rural states of Southern Mexico. The beans were gathered from wild growing coffee bushes of the mountains of Mexico. Because of the high altitude, the beans have a very dense taste. Because the coffee bushes are wild, there is no longer a need for pesticides and fertilizers. They grow in their natural habitat. It is literally coffee grown by mother nature. After the beans are harvesting, they are brought to the coffee facility of the company located in Holland, Michigan.
Simpatico makes use of low emissions Revelation Roaster. This roaster is known for its efficiency. It is also to be noted that Simpatico roasts its beans in small batches as a means of quality control.
Drinkers noted its great taste. Despite being low-acid, it still retained the full-bodied taste that regular coffee has.
The company sells various roasts such as Medium roast, Black and Tan roast, Dark roast, Way Darker (espresso) roast, Oaxacan Gold specialty roast, Mexican Amber Dark roast and Absolute Darkness roast.
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Conclusion
Out of the eight eight brands listed above, Java Planet Organic Coffee ranked highest of them all. The beans are sourced from Colombia and prepared in Tampa, Florida. The coffee is smooth and full-flavored sans the burnt and bitter taste
Despite being low-acid, it tastes pretty good. The price is also very competitive. We also have to mention the very attractive packaging. In addition, it is Rainforest Alliance-certified, bird friendly, single origin coffee available.
It is available on medium roast, medium dark roast, and dark roast. Another notable feature is that the date of roasting is indicated on the label. This ensures that you get to enjoy fresh coffee.
Cafe Don Pablo photo by: littlecoffeeplace.com | CC BY-SA
