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Coffee is the most popular drink in the entire world. Over one billion cups are sold every single day! If you’re someone that’s ever tried a cup of coffee, you might’ve noticed how it can be delicious and gives a massive jolt of energy at first, but soon after, it all comes back up in the form of heartburn!
That heartburn isn’t just you being a little dramatic; post-coffee heartburn is real, and it can affect anyone. That’s because of the pH of Coffee!
In this post, we’re going to be doing a complete rundown of the pH of coffee, what it is, and how you can still enjoy your coffee without having to deal with heartburn!
What is pH?
First things first, let’s talk about what pH actually is.
You might remember the good old pH measurement lesson from high school. pH stands for “potential of hydrogen” and is a way of measuring how acidic or basic something is.
The pH scale was actually discovered by accident. In 1909, a Danish biochemist named Søren Peter Lauritz Sørensen was working on measuring the acidity of milk when he realized that the traditional method of using litmus paper was not precise enough.
He needed a more accurate way to measure the acidity of the milk, so he decided to come up with a new system of measurement. That’s when he discovered the pH scale.
Sørensen realized that he could measure acidity by using a decimal logarithm, which would allow him to compare the concentrations of hydrogen ions in different solutions.
He called his new system the pH scale, with “p” standing for the German word “potenz”, meaning power, and “H” representing hydrogen ions.
The pH scale quickly became a standard in the scientific community, and today it’s used in a wide range of fields, from medicine to agriculture to environmental science. And of course, it’s also used to measure the acidity of our favorite beverages, including coffee.
pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is, on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while a pH below 7 is acidic and a pH above 7 is alkaline.
The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that a change of one pH unit represents a tenfold change in acidity or alkalinity. So, a substance with a pH of 4 is ten times more acidic than a substance with a pH of 5.
The pH of Coffee
Now, onto the main event: the pH of coffee. The pH of coffee can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of coffee bean, the roasting process, and the brewing method.
Generally speaking, coffee is slightly acidic, with a pH of around 5. This is due to the presence of acids like chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and citric acid, which give coffee its characteristic tangy flavor.
So why does pH matter when it comes to coffee? Well, as we mentioned before, coffee can cause heartburn in many people. The reason for this is because it contains large amounts of acid and pH levels are used to measure that.
So, what does all of this mean for you? Well, for most people, the pH of coffee is not something to worry about. The human body is able to maintain a relatively stable pH level regardless of what we eat or drink.
However, if you suffer from acid reflux or other digestive issues, you may want to pay closer attention to the pH of your coffee. Some people find that drinking less acidic coffee, such as cold brew or decaf, can help reduce symptoms.
It’s also worth noting that while the pH of coffee may have some impact on your health, it’s not the only factor to consider.
For example, coffee contains caffeine, which can have both positive and negative effects on the body. Too much caffeine can cause jitteriness, anxiety, and insomnia, while moderate consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
Is All Coffee Acidic?
Contrary to what you might think, not all coffee is acidic. There are some low acid coffees that are a lot easier to drink. However, most coffees are fairly acidic. The pH of coffee brands that we can usually find in the stores is on the acidic side, with a pH value of coffee of around 5, if not lower. Unless, you’re taking extra measures to lower the acidity of the coffee yourself!
How Can I Lower the Acidity of Coffee?
There are some things you can do to balance out the pH level of your coffee, allowing you to enjoy a delicious cup without having to deal with heartburn.
One way to help reduce the pH level in coffee is by adding milk or cream. The fat and protein in these ingredients will help neutralize the effects of all that acid in coffee, reducing its pH level and helping prevent heartburn! Additionally, many people find that drinking their coffee black helps reduce reflux as well.
So whether you like your coffee with lots of creamer or black without sugar, pH doesn’t need to be something that comes between you and your cup of joe!
Most coffee brands may come acidic, but there are lots of easy ways that you can lower the acidity of your cup of coffee at home!
Here are three ways you can do it!
Cold-brew it
Here’s where things get a little complicated. The pH of coffee can actually vary quite a bit depending on how it’s prepared.
For example, cold brew coffee tends to be less acidic than hot brewed coffee, with a pH of around 6.5 to 6.8. This is because the cold brewing process results in fewer acidic compounds being extracted from the coffee beans.
One of the main things that make the difference between low acid coffee and acidic coffee is the way they’re brewed. If you’re trying to brew your coffee acid-free, the hot route might not be the best one to take.
Cold brew requires a lot more patience than instantly brewing a hot coffee, but it’s well worth it.
Here, instead of using hot water to brew the coffee within minutes, you’ll pour a cold cup of water and leave the coffee to release overnight, 24 hours if you can.
When you pour hot water onto coffee, the coffee reacts by releasing oils into the brew. Those oils are the source of most of the acidity in the coffee.
When you pour cold water and leave it there, those oils don’t get released, and the cup ends up being around 70% less acidic than the average instant brew!
Store it right
Most of us just whip up our batch of coffee, put it in a thermos, and leave it there so we can drink it whenever we want. But the thing here is that the hotter your coffee is when you store it, the more acidic your coffee will become!
The good thing is that the pH of coffee can be lowered by waiting to let the coffee cool down before storing it. It has a similar effect to how cold brewing works and will make for a much more pleasant drinking experience!
Use eggshells
This one might sound weird at first, but it’s actually one of the most logical ways to make your own low acid coffee. Eggshells are extremely high in calcium. Calcium is alkaline. And what do we need to lower the pH level of coffee? Something that will neutralize the acidity!
So all you need to do is save up your eggshells, wash them out to make sure there’s no egg left in them, grind them into a fine powder, and then add some of that powder to your coffee grounds before brewing.
The calcium will help to neutralize the acids in the coffee, giving you a smoother cup of coffee that’s easier on your stomach!
Low Acid Coffee Brands
Lifeboost Coffee
Do you love coffee, but hate its bitter aftertaste and acidic effects?
With Lifeboost Coffee, you can finally enjoy your favorite beverage without worrying about these side effects! Our coffee is carefully roasted at a high elevation in Central America’s mountain ranges to ensure maximum flavor and freshness.
Single origin beans are shade-grown and Certified Organic by the USDA, guaranteeing cleanliness and perfect ripeness. Additionally, every batch of our Low Acid Medium Roast Ground Coffee goes through third-party testing for mycotoxins and heavy metals.
This means that whenever you grab a cup of Lifeboost Coffee, you can be sure it’s super safe and healthy for your body—all without sacrificing a delicious taste.
So join the hundreds of thousands of customers who have made Lifeboost Coffee their go-to morning pick-me-up. Once you try it, you won’t ever look back!
VitaCup Coffee
Introducing VitaCup Coffee – the perfect morning cup of joe that’s both organic AND low acid.
Simply sip on the delicious, chocolaty robust taste of freshly ground and sealed-in goodness from these Fair Trade & Certified USDA Organic dark roast coffee beans.
It gets better! This coffee is also mycotoxin free and third-party lab tested for your assurance.
Enjoy a cup of pure and clean energy without any compromise to your health – thanks to natural antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid that help protect and maintain overall cell health!
Looking to kickstart your day? Look no further than VitaCup Coffee – the ideal blend of healthy, energizing, and delicious!
pH of Coffee – The Final Word
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about the pH of coffee, from the science behind it to the best brewing methods to try. Whether you’re a die-hard coffee lover or just enjoy the occasional cup, understanding the pH of your coffee can help you make more informed decisions about your health and your daily routine.
And if all else fails, just remember the wise words of author and coffee enthusiast, David Lynch: “Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all.”
We hope this article helped clear up any confusion you had about the pH of coffee and how it can affect you! Just remember, if you’re someone that’s prone to heartburn, there are still plenty of ways you can enjoy your coffee without having to worry about it.
By keeping these things in mind, you can continue to enjoy all the deliciousness that coffee has to offer without any of the negatives! pH away, my friends!
Now that you know what the pH of coffee is and how you can still enjoy the perfect cup by turning regular coffee into low acid coffee, you’re all set to make for yourself the perfect cup of coffee you’ve always wanted! All that’s left for you to do is to decide which type of coffee you want to make, and make it!
As always, Happy Sipping!