Is Coffee Acidic? (2024)

As one of the most popular beverages in the world, coffee is here to stay.

Still, even coffee lovers may be curious about whether this beverage is acidic and how its acidity may impact their health.

This article reviews whether coffee is acidic, its effects on certain health conditions, and some ways to modify its acidity.

In general, acidity is determined using the pH scale, which specifies how basic or acidic a water based solution is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14. Any solution registering from 0 to 7 on the scale is considered acidic, whereas a solution registering from 7 to 14 is considered basic (1).

Most coffee varieties are acidic, with an average pH value of 4.85 to 5.10 (2).

Among the countless compounds in this beverage, the brewing process releases nine major acids that contribute to its unique flavor profile.

Here are the nine major acids in coffee, listed from highest concentration to lowest: chlorogenic, quinic, citric, acetic, lactic, malic, phosphoric, linoleic, and palmitic (3).

Summary

The brewing process releases acids from coffee beans, giving this beverage a pH of 4.85 to 5.10, which is considered acidic.

When it comes to the acidity of coffee, several factors can play a role.

Roasting

One main aspect that determines the acidity of coffee is how it’s roasted. Both roasting duration and temperature have been correlated with acidity.

One study showed that the longer and hotter coffee beans were roasted, the lower their chlorogenic acid levels (4).

This suggests that lighter roasts tend to be higher in acidity, while darker roasts are lower.

Brewing

Another factor that affects acidity is the brewing method.

One study found that cold-brewed coffee was significantly lower in acidity than hot coffee (2).

Brewing time also appears to affect overall acidity, with a shorter duration resulting in a more acidic beverage and a moderate duration resulting in a less acidic one (5).

Ground size

The size of the coffee grounds can also affect acidity. The smaller the ground, the greater the surface area exposed relative to volume, which can lead to more acid being extracted in the brewing process (5).

Therefore, using a finer grind may result in a more acidic cup of coffee.

Summary

Several factors contribute to coffee’s acidity. The main ones are the roasting duration, brewing method, and fineness of the grind.

While coffee’s acidity is fine for most people, it may aggravate certain health conditions in others.

These conditions include acid reflux, gastric ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Coffee’s effects on these conditions are mainly attributed to its acidity and slight laxative effect in some people (6, 7, 8).

Coffee has not been shown to cause these conditions. However, if you have been diagnosed with one of them, it’s often recommended to avoid coffee (4, 9).

Alternatively, some people may benefit from simply opting for less acidic varieties.

Ways to reduce acidity

The acidity of coffee may be limiting for some. Here are a few ways to reduce it (2, 10):

  • Choose dark over light roasts.
  • Drink cold brew instead of hot.
  • Increase brew time, such as by using a French press.
  • Opt for a coarser grind.
  • Brew at a lower temperature.
summary

Because coffee is acidic, it may impact certain health conditions, such as acid reflux and IBS. Thus, some people may have to avoid it. Although the acidity of this beverage cannot be eliminated, there are several ways to reduce it.

With an average pH of 4.85 to 5.10, most coffees are considered rather acidic.

While this doesn’t present a problem for most coffee lovers, the acidity can negatively affect certain health conditions in some people, such as acid reflux and IBS.

There are several methods of reducing acidity, such as drinking cold brew coffee and choosing darker roasts. Using these strategies, you can enjoy your cup of java while reducing the side effects of its acidity.

Is Coffee Acidic? (2024)

FAQs

Is Coffee Acidic? ›

That's right; coffee acidity depends on a range of factors such as growing region, varietal, brew method, roast style and more. But it's always acidic and generally has a pH of between 4.85 and 5.10. This is less acidic than orange juice (pH 3.9) and a tad more acidic than dairy milk (pH 6.5).

Is coffee too acidic for the body? ›

Because coffee is acidic, it may impact certain health conditions, such as acid reflux and IBS. Thus, some people may have to avoid it. Although the acidity of this beverage cannot be eliminated, there are several ways to reduce it.

How can you make coffee less acidic? ›

Here are some ways to reduce the acidity of your coffee:
  1. Brew your coffee for longer. ...
  2. Opt for darker roasts. ...
  3. Give cold brew coffee a shot. ...
  4. Add eggshells to your coffee grind. ...
  5. Don't store hot coffee for long periods. ...
  6. Use a coffee filter. ...
  7. Choose coarser coffee grinds. ...
  8. Add milk to your coffee.
Oct 7, 2022

Which is the least acidic coffee? ›

Light roast, medium roast, and dark roast coffee beans will have varying levels of acidity, dark roast having the lowest acid coffee, and light roast the highest acid level. In addition, it will also change the entire flavor profile of the coffee beans and your cup of coffee.

Which is more acidic tea or coffee? ›

Black and green tea is usually less acidic than coffee. One analysis found that coffee was less acidic than lemon tea and more acidic than black. Black tea was found to have a pH of 6.37, while coffee had a pH of 5.35. The acidity level for tea and coffee also depends on where you're getting it from.

Is coffee bad for GERD? ›

Coffee and tea can both cause heartburn. If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may want to reduce your intake of these beverages. Perhaps you're used to kick-starting your morning with a cup of coffee or winding down in the evening with a steaming mug of tea.

What kind of coffee is easiest on your stomach? ›

So, for a sensitive stomach, cold brew is your best option - you get all the caffeine with less of the acidity. They've proven to be up to 70% less acidic than hot brewed coffee made from the same beans… yes please!

What tastes like coffee but isn't acidic? ›

7 Low-Acid Coffee Alternatives
  • Chicory Root Coffee. Chicory root coffee is a low-acid alternative to coffee that dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians and, as the name suggests, is made from chicory root. ...
  • Matcha Tea. ...
  • Yerba Mate. ...
  • Herbal Tea. ...
  • Chai Tea. ...
  • Golden Milk. ...
  • Kombucha. ...
  • Decaffeinated Coffee.
Jul 7, 2022

Is decaf coffee more acidic? ›

While decaffeinated coffee might be mildly less acidic on a pH scale than caffeinated coffee—and this will vary based on not only the coffee bean's variety but also the decaffeination process it undergoes—it is not significantly less acidic, perhaps the difference between a 4.7 (caffeinated) and a 5 (decaffeinated) pH.

Is Folgers black silk coffee low acid? ›

Is Black Silk Coffee low acid? No, Our Black Silk Coffee is not considered a low acid coffee.

Are eggs acidic? ›

Certain food groups are considered acidic, alkaline, or neutral: Acidic: meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, grains, alcohol. Neutral: natural fats, milk, starches, sugars. Alkaline: fruits, nuts, legumes, vegetables.

Is honey acidic? ›

Honey is characteristically acidic with pH between 3.2 and 4.5, which is low enough to be inhibitory to several bacterial pathogens[45]; Figure 4 depicts the pH values of different honeys. The minimum pH values for growth of some common pathogenic bacteria are: E.

How do you know if coffee is too acidic? ›

Overly acidic coffee tastes sour and harsh. This happens when coffee is over-roasted or incorrectly brewed.

Which is more acidic, coffee or alcohol? ›

Coffee, like most things we like to drink, is naturally acidic. Acids yield flavor, literally by donating protons to receptors on the tongue. That's why other common drinks such as beer, soda, fruit juice and wine are naturally acidic (and are all more acidic than coffee, in fact).

Does coffee cause inflammation in the stomach? ›

The caffeine content in a single cup of coffee is enough to have a major effect on someone's gastrointestinal system. Second, coffee and coffee drinks are acidic beverages. Drinking coffee may increase the acid levels in your stomach or gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to inflammation of the stomach.

Is coffee more acidic than fruit? ›

Coffee has a pH of around 5, which is around the same level of acidity as a banana. By comparison- orange juice is 100 times more acidic than coffee. This should clear up some confusion with those folk who think that coffee is going to burn a whole through their stomach if they drink copious amounts of it.

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