Coffee beans contain acid and some of these acids can affect your health if you are not careful with consumption. While some of the acids add flavor and a unique taste, other acids aren’t good when in high concentrations, especially for those with medical conditions. There are at least 850 different compounds in coffee beans that contribute to its unique taste and aroma.  The acidity of coffee doesn’t refer to a sour or acrid taste. If your coffee is sour then it might be a result of poor extraction.

Acidity is measured using a pH scale. A pH of less than 7 is considered as acidic, at 7 neutral, and more than 7 up to 14 an alkaline pH. Coffee has a pH of around 5, although you will still find some light roasts with a pH of 4.7. Beneficial acids like phosphoric acid and malic acid change the taste, making your coffee taste sweeter. Other acids like citric acid and acetic acid are great only in low concentrations but can make your coffee a bit sour when in excess proportions. 

Acids like Chlorogenic acid aid in weight loss and cause bitterness in coffee which is perceived as coffee acidity. But, you can still break down the acid when you increase the time taken during the roasting process. Apart from Chlorogenic acid, there is Quinic acid. If you suffer from Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or don’t like the taste of acidic coffee, but would still love to enjoy your cup of coffee, worry not. Below is how you can reduce the acidity in coffee to a level that you can comfortably enjoy your cup of coffee without worrying about the side effects.

Add Milk

Adding some milk or cream to your coffee is to balance out the PH level and neutralize the acid. In most cases, milk such as soy milk normally curdles in acidic coffee so always consider this when going for plant-based milk.

Buy the right coffee beans

The first thing to do if you’d like to reduce the acidity in coffee is buying the right coffee. For the best result, purchase low-acid coffee beans. While low-acid coffee beans are not that common, some of them are naturally produced. This results in coffee beans low acid content though others contain additional compounds added to them to reduce the burn.​

One of the top recommended coffee beans are Arabica beans. They contain fewer acid levels than their lower-grade, caffeine-infused Robusta beans. But, apart from the Arabica beans, if you usually drink good quality coffee then acidity shouldn’t be a major issue.

Opt for dark roast

The roasting process plays a huge role in the acidity levels in coffee. It doesn’t just determine the color but also how much acidity is retained. Light roasts often retain the coffee bean’s natural acidity, ending up tasting mild. The darker roast which is from a darker bean is the best option if you have a problem with high acidity since a dark roast coffee blend naturally contains less acid. The darker the roast, the lower the level of acidity. But, if you have no problem with the acid levels in light or medium roast then you can opt for either of the two.

Consider the brewing method

There are two major coffee brewing methods, cold and hot brewing. The cold brewing method is not just simple but it’s also ideal if you’re looking to reduce the acid levels in coffee beans. It’s said that steeping ground coffee in cold water often produces coffee that contains close to 60% less acidity than hot-brewed.

Cold brews can be made in the comfort of your home by mixing coarsely ground coffee with water. Later on, you let it steep in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, take your cold brew and strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. This produces a brew with a lower-acid.

But, one thing you must note is that while cold brewing is much simpler and might be the solution to reducing acid in your coffee or diet in general, according to researchers the level of antioxidants in cold-brewed coffees is less than in hot-brewed coffees. You will have your cold brew with reduced acidity but it may not have some essential antioxidant properties required by your body.

Add eggshells

Brew your coffee beans with eggshells. Being alkaline, eggshells can help balance and neutralize the acidity in coffee. They can also help remove any bitterness, improving the flavor of your coffee.

It’s not possible to eliminate all the acids in coffee, but you can still find coffees that aren’t too acidic.