Do you love coffee but avoid it due to stomach problems like heartburn? This article is about the available low acid coffee brands: how to choose a stomach-friendly brand of coffee and how to prepare it.
Scientific studies show that coffee is beneficial for our health. It lowers the risk of heart disease, and helps to ward off cancer as it contains antioxidants. It’s a mild pain killer, it helps you recover after a workout. About 40 million people don’t drink coffee because of the stomach irritation. If you have acid reflux you don’t have to change your habits and resign on coffee. Just pick a stomach friendly coffee brand instead of a regular one, and enjoy it without unpleasant side effects of heartburn.
What is low acid coffee actually?
There are at least three things people mean speaking of low or least acidic coffee:
- one is a chemical result of the production process – a coffee with a low ph.
- another idea are naturally low acid coffee beans, which contain little acid even before the processing begins
- finally there are stomach friendly coffees, which cause the least irritation to the digestive system.
Low acid coffee – how is it made?
Low acid coffee brands are made using multiple different technological processes. Even if the final result is coffee with lowered acidity, i.e. with pH value of 5.0 or more, there are many ways to achieve it. Manufacturers use one or many of the following methods to make coffee low acid:
- Slower than normal roasting or interrupting the roasting process. This method produces coffee beans with reduced acidity, but also with less chlorogenic acid and reduced aromatics.
- Removing the waxy outer layer of green beans (treating) with steam. Treated beans are dried and roasted subsequently. This process lets acidity drop but also reduces aromatics.
- Using chemical solvents, e.g. dichloromethane or ethyl acetate to treat green beans.
- Picking green coffee variety with less acidity. Less acidic coffee beans are grown in Sumatra and in some regions of Brazil. Coffee beans growing in Kenya or Costa Rica are very acidic on the other hand.
- Darker roasting (called also French Roast) – studies have shown that dark roasts are friendlier for the stomach than mild or light roasts. Dark roasting tends also to develop certain bitter tastes masking acidity.
- Removing acidity by drying the beans in whole fruits or fruit pulp.
- Using an acid-buffering agent.
- Monsooning or aging.
- Using only arabica and no robusta.
Are you looking for the best low acid coffee? It’s not easy to decide which one is the best, but five low acid coffee brands are the most popular (and can be conveniently bought online): Folgers, Simpatico, Mavericks and Puroast. Low acid coffee comes in many package sizes and varieties, read some customer reviews and pick your choice according to your taste preferences and your budget. Here you can find more scientific information about the coffee roasts and their acidity.
Low acid ground coffee
The most popular type of low acid coffee is ground coffee:
- Folgers Simply Smooth Ground Coffee
- Puroast Low Acid Coffee
- Simpatico Low Acid Coffee
- Mavericks Low Acid Coffee
Did you know it? Folgers Simply Smooth is not really “low acid”, even if usually called so by the customers. A special preparation process makes it stomach friendly without targeting the acidity of the coffee.
Low acid coffee whole beans
Whole beans are also available as a low acid variety:
- HealthWise 100% Colombian Supremo, Low Acid Coffee
- Simpatico Low Acid Coffee – Whole Beans
- Mavericks House Low Acid Organic Coffee – Whole Bean
Low acid decaf coffee
Are you looking for low acid decaf coffee? Try these two low acid coffee brands:
- HealthWise Low Acid Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee, 100% Colombian Decaf Supremo,
- Lucy Jo’s Coffee, Organic Decaf Mellow Belly Low Acid Blend
- Simpatico Low Acid Coffee – Decaf
Cheap low acid coffee – is it possible?
Are you looking for the best price without resigning on quality of a brand product? Go for the big packaging. If you use a lot of coffee (e.g. in the office with your co-workers) big packaging gives you the most bang for the buck. A big bag is obviously going to be whole beans, ground coffee would lose its flavor:
- Simpatico Low Acid Coffee – Regular – Dark – Whole Bean (5 pound bag)
- Simpatico Low Acid Coffee – Regular – Black & Tan – Whole Bean (5 pound bag)
Cold brew systems
Another good way to lower coffee acidity is to use a cold brew system to brew your coffee. According to the claims of Toddy, the manufacturer of the most popular cold brew system, the acidity will drop to about 33% compared to classic hot brew methods. High end brew systems promise even acid free coffee. You don’t need any special coffee beans, the regular ones will be perfectly fine. The best selling cold brew systems are:
If you decide to order a cold brew system, do not forget about replacement filters.
There are more low acid coffee brands on the market, than the above mentioned four. However the brands are sold by reliable merchant, where you can check reliable reviews of other customers. That’s why I recommend buying your low acid coffee by Amazon.com.
Photo: Image courtesy of eziquelzic / stock.xchng
Robyn you explained it so well at your class!! Thank you.We use alnomd milk, coconut milk (and I’ve even made them at home, one or twice, lol I’ll get there ;)) *There was a time, years ago, when I almost laughed out loud when being told dairy isn’t necessary. I couldn’t believe it more now! I’ve found that since converting to at least 60% raw diet and adding a quart, at least, of green smoothie a day, I don’t feel like I need kefir, and probably more so if I was eating more sprouted foods.If you are going to use kefir, I would imagine that coconut kefir is fine (made in the coconut milk or coconut water).I started giving my babies green smoothies as early as, well when they could hold the cup, so maybe 9/10 months.Its no joke, when we have dairy my little girl, who is almost two, gets a green runny nose. She has basically had colds every month or every month or every other month since 6 months old, unless I truly (which is HARD) cut our dairy.(*A disturbing fact is (lol) my Dr said 7-10 colds a year are normal -my son, who’s 3 1/2 would get head colds (not always a runny nose, just massive congestion) also from 6 months on. I just don’t think that is normal ) I’m now trying to cut out gluten products (and of course white flour and sugar).Thanks Robyn!! I loved hearing your story. I hope to email you to share with you our experience :)Amy
Very excellent blog post about low acid coffee. Which brand is your favourite?
Hi Dan,
To be sincere, Folgers. But it’s a matter of personal preference, try the other ones as well 🙂
I can’t even imagine not smelling that wonderful Folgers Brew! Although, lately, seems like all coffees, first thing in the morning, give me a sour stomach! I have actually used my drip coffee with Folgers…JUST TO SMELL IT! I would love to find something that works, in the coffee isle. Have a good day!
I have been having this staibbng chest pain on and off for a year and this past month it has been constant.. its a sharp burning pain right between my breasts at the bottom of my sternum. I have had GERD/Acid reflux disease/hiatal hernia for the past 6 years. I have also been smoking for the past 6 years (and trying desperately to quit for 2) I’ve been to the hospital twice in the past two weeks and they can’t do anything. They say my lungs and heart are just fine and that i must be having an esophageal spasm. But the pain WONT go away my reflux has been almost untreated until the past few months when i actually had state insurance and got medicine.. i’ve been taking kapidex every day and it takes away the acid.. but not the chest pain i keep feeling like i have to cough.. but nothing comes up.. it just hurts to cough and after eating it hurts too.. I’m very afraid of esophageal cancer and my insurance ends monday.. i need to get an endoscopy.. the last one i had was 4 years ago when i was diagnosed with these heartburn problems.. but nothing since then Is this chest pain possibly being caused by cancer.. or is it just simply a spasm .
Hi Jambylyn,
you need to see a doctor, if it is as serious as you write.
Take care
I have treated acid relfux, GERD, and heartburn by homeopathy and acupressure.You can see if it works for you.Homeopathy:Try a combination of Acid Sulphuricum 30 + Carbo Veg 30 + Nux Vomica 30 4 pills ever 2 hours for one day, then every 4 hours next day, and 4 times daily for 4 days.There are no side effects in homeopathy.There are some home remedies too:b7Drinking milk or eating milk products are helpful in relieving symptoms of acidity.b7Foods such as pickles, vinegar, fried foods, hot spicy foods, chocolate, pastries, and raw salad vegetables like onion, radish, cabbage, and peppers should be avoided.b7Clove also helps to relieve the symptoms of acidity. Suck one piece of clove slowly to relieve the symptoms. It also helps to reduce the onset of disease that arises due to acidity.b7A cup of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk also helps to get relieve heartburn and acidity within minutes.b7Almonds are also a good source for relieving the heartburn and acidity. Eat several almonds when heartburn symptoms persist.b7Lemons also help to prevent heartburn. Cut a lemon into thin strips and dip in salt. Eat before meals to prevent heartburn.b7Take some mint leaves and chop these and then boil in a cup of water and sip slowly after meals. If a person drinks Fresh mint juice every day he will never experience acidity.b7Jaggery or gur taken after every meal also helps to reduce the acidity. Keep a piece of gur in the mouth and slowly suck it till acidity decreases.b7Eating bananas is also helpful in preventing the symptoms of acidity and heartburn. To prevent acidity it is advised to eat a banana daily.b7A mixture of 2 tsp of natural apple cider vinegar and 2 tsp raw honey in a glass of water before meals fights with acidity.b7Basil (tulsi) leaves helps to get relief from burning, nausea and gas. Chew some leaves of tulsi to decrease the acidity.b7Coconut water 4-5 times a day decreases the symptoms of the acidity and the heartburn.b7Harad (Terminalia chebula) if taken after every meal prevents the symptoms of the acidity.b71 tsp juice of chebulic myroblan mixed with 1 tsp of amla (Indian gooseberry) juice helps to prevent acidity and heartburn.b7Boil one cup of water. To this add 1 tsp of Aniseed (Saunf). Cover and leave overnight. Strain the water in the morning, add 1 tsp of honey. When this is taken 3 times a day it prevents acidity.b7To 1 bd liters of water add 1 tsp Caraway seeds (shah jeera). Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Sip while warm. Take this liquid 2-3 times a day for 5-6 days. It will decrease the acidity.b7Take a glass of water, add a pinch of baking soda and drink it. It gives immediate relief from acidity.b7Take a glass of warm water, add a pinch of hing (asafoetida) and have it every morning to prevent acidity.b7Eat a serving of cucumber or watermelon 4-5 times in a day to fight against acidity.b7Fennel helps to relieve abdominal pain, colon disorders, gas, and gastrointestinal tract spasms. It is an effective remedy for acidic stomach conditions (heartburn).b7Ginger is very useful for digestive disorders. It help to relieve indigestion from rich foods.b7Make a fine powder by adding equal amounts of ginger powder, black pepper, dried mint leaves, asafetida (hing), anise seeds, coriander seeds, cumin, fennel and common salt. Dosage: Take about 1 teaspoon of this powder with water, twice a day after meals.b7It is advised to eat 8-10 glass to water daily. Drinking water gives immediate relief to symptoms like wind, distended stomach and acidity.b7Chewing bubble-gum also disappears the acidity. This is an easy and best way to get rid of Acidity.b7For heartburn drink a teaspoon of vinegar. It is because there is not sufficient acid in our stomach to digest food properly, thus gasses come back up and burn our stomach.b7Calcium also helps to fight with the heartburn and acidity. Yoghurt or ice-cream gives immediate relief from acidity and heartburn.b71 tsp juice of chebulic myroblan mixed with 1 tsp of amla (Indian gooseberry) juice daily relieves acidity.b7Powder one clove and one cardamom; use the powder as a mouth freshener after every meal. No more acidity and no more bad breathe.b7After food maintain an upright posture to prevent the reflex and to prevent the symptoms of acidity.b7Sleep with your head and shoulder on a high pillow for elevation.b7Do not skip meals. Do not keep large gap between meals. This produces gas / wind.b7Eat dinner 2-3 hours before going to bed.b7Last but not the least stop smoking and cut down on alcohol.b7After all three meals, take a small piece of jaggery and keep it in your mouth and suck. Voile1 no more acidity.b7Boil one cup of water. To this add 1 tsp of Aniseed (Saunf). Cover and leave overnight. Strain the water in the morning, add 1 tsp of honey. When this is taken 3 times a day it prevents acidity.b7To 1 bd liters of water add 1 tsp Caraway seeds (shah jeera). Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Sip while warm. Have the concoction 2-3 times a day for 5-6 days.b7Powder one clove and one cardamom; use the powder as a mouth freshener after every meal. No more acidity and no more bad breath.