Whether you’re concerned about your health or are simply curious, you’re not alone if you wonder if coffee is an acidic drink. Coffee is often labeled as very acidic, due to its bitter taste, which is a great indicator. In short, yes, coffee is acidic. However, it likely isn’t as acidic as you think. In this post, we’re going to look at how acidic coffee is and what makes our favorite beverage acidic. Ready? Let’s go answer the question on everyone’s mind: how acidic is coffee?
What Makes Coffee Acidic?
The process of brewing coffee involves combining hot water, or cold water in some cases, with coffee grounds. The general concept is to extract caffeine and flavor from the beans to make a tasty cup, or pot, of coffee.
The extraction process removes a number of compounds from the coffee, such as fatty lipids, acids, caffeine, and sugars. Part of the extraction process always involves the removal of acids, which, surprisingly, make coffee acidic.
How Acidic is Coffee?
The answer to this question depends on the brewing method. However, most coffee, regardless of the brewing method, will have an acidity of 5 on the pH scale. This is lower than the standard 7 pH of neutral water but isn’t as low as other common beverages.
For instance, orange juice has a pH of 3.5, beer has a pH between 4-5, and many popular sodas have a pH under 3!
Is Coffee Acidity Dangerous?
Millions of Americans consume coffee every day. For the most part, coffee addicts continue to feed their relatively healthy habits without any real consequences. Other common beverages and foods are more acidic. However, coffee can be detrimental to those who have existing stomach sensitivity or problems.
Doctors typically encourage patients with acid reflux or stomach ulcers to cut down on coffee consumption. However, coffee will likely not cause any issues for those without a history of problems related to acidic foods or drinks.
Is Cold Brew Coffee Less Acidic?
Many coffee consumers believe that cold brew is less acidic due to the unique extraction process, which involves using cold or room-temperature water. While cold brew extraction takes longer, the final product still has roughly the same amount of acid as hot-brewed coffee.
Researchers found that cold brew coffee has a relatively equal pH as any other coffee. Furthermore, many experts believe that cold brew often tastes less acidic since the extraction process is more even from start to finish. This leads to a more rounded flavor profile and an overall less acidic taste.
Is Decaf Coffee Less Acidic?
A lot of people believe that caffeine is the compound in coffee that makes it acidic. If this were true, it would make sense that decaf coffee is less acidic. However, researchers have found that there are other contributing factors that make coffee acidic and that decaf coffee has a similar pH as regular coffee.
Closing Thoughts
There’s no getting around it – coffee is acidic. However, the average pH of most coffees is in the neighborhood of 5, which is higher than most other common beverages like orange juice and soda. While it isn’t suitable for those with stomach issues or acid reflux, coffee’s acidity likely will not cause any issues for healthy individuals.
