If you suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, you know drinking a cup of coffee can make your symptoms worse. But what if I told you there's a way to indulge in a cup of joe without the discomfort? It's a coffee category called low-acid coffee, offering a gentler alternative for those with acid reflux. That's why we set out to find the best lo-acid coffees so everyone can enjoy that morning caffeine boost without discomfort.
Choosing low-acid coffee doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. Coffee enthusiasts report the roasting process of these beans unlocks flavors rivaling or surpassing traditional coffee blends. Ready to discover a delicious cup of coffee that will also be kind to your stomach? We have the list of the best low-acid coffees most often recommended by coffee enthusiasts across eight popular websites. If you find a cup of coffee that doesn't aggravate your symptoms, we'd love to hear about it below.
The List: Best Low-Acid Coffees Most Recommended By Experts
1. Lifeboost
No need to sacrifice flavor with this well-known low-acid brand that creates a perfect cup every single time. According to Livestrong, it's “about 28% less acidic than common store-bought coffee brands.” It's non-GMO, fairly traded, and free of pesticides. The dark roast premium beans are hand-picked.
Reviewers at Well + Good say this coffee has “no trace of acidity or bitterness.” The beans are harvested from small farms and roasted in small batches. Each batch is tested for quality, mold, and bacteria.
All of the products created by Lifeboost from their beans to their grounds are low acid. Camille Styles reports their dark roast is “dry and sweet, with smooth flavors.” While most coffee pH levels are around five or lower, this coffee has a pH level of six or higher, meaning it's better at neutralizing acid in your gut.
2. Purity Ease Dark Roast
If you're on the go, Purity has a single-serve packet option that Camille Styles says is perfect for busy mornings. With the Ease blend you'll get a coffee that's easier to digest, but still has a lot of flavor. Thanks to high levels of antioxidant phenolic compounds, you won't have unpleasant acid reflux after drinking this dark roast. If single-serve packets aren't your thing, you can also buy Purity beans and grounds.
If you enjoy coffee with notes of dark chocolate and caramelized sugar, you should consider buying Purity. Livestrong says their roasting methods are tailored to maximize antioxidants and to give it plenty of flavor. The company also tests the beans for purity, so you won't be getting any toxins.
Purity guarantees each bag of coffee will be as fresh as the day it was roasted. Well + Good says it does this by flushing the bags with nitrogen to reduce oxygen levels so the beans don't get stale. The coffee also is much easier on your stomach. Reviewers say if the first cup is bitter, make the grind slightly coarser. That should do the trick!
3. Puroast Dark French Roast
Say goodbye to heartburn with this roast, which the Little Coffee Place says has 70% less acidity than regular brands and offers seven times more antioxidants than green tea. There are no additives, the product is gluten-free and certified kosher.
Clean Eat Kitchen says you won't sacrifice flavor with this brand because the coffee has a “rich, bold taste without any bitterness.” It's a great choice if you have a sensitive stomach or acid reflux. It comes in regular, half-calf, and decaf.
Puroast is reasonably priced for a specialty coffee. Well + Good says you can buy a two-pound bag of beans or pay a little more for the ground version. One reviewer says this coffee “doesn't trigger my acid reflux and has a great flavor.”
4. Java Planet
When it comes to taste, Epicurious believes Java Planet is the most balanced low-acid coffee on the market. The website says it had the “toasty flavor profile of a dark roast” with plenty of “fruitiness.” It also has hints of chocolate and nuts. Java Planet only comes in beans and is certified organic.
Little Coffee Place says even though this coffee is intense, it won't hurt your stomach. The cup is great for breakfast or an afternoon snack and certainly won't be a bore. If you prefer a lighter roast, Java Plant has you covered with medium, as well as dark, French, and espresso roasts. According to The Darkest Roast, the company only uses Arabica beans from Guatemala that are pesticide-free.
5. Fabula
This single-origin brand from Peru is a little more expensive than the rest. It's organic and non-GMO and, according to Well + Good, has “hints of caramelized sugar and nutty aromas.” Like Java, this brand also offers various low-acid options from light roast to French press.
The Fabula decaf is fabulous as far as Clean Eating Kitchen is concerned. Since it's decaffeinated with Swiss water, it still has plenty of flavor. Try it as a cold brew if the hot version still bothers your gut.
Camille Styles says this brand is perfect for picky coffee drinkers, especially when it comes to taste and freshness. It gets the award for the best low-acid flavor profile offering hints of “brown sugar and mild fruits.”
6. Mommee Coffee
This is probably the mildest coffee of the bunch. And yes, just like the name says, it is supposed to appeal to pregnant women and moms thanks it its varying levels of caffeine. Epicurious says it's not too “dark or toasty” and is not bitter. All versions are low-acid and chemical-free. It's made with organic Arabica beans that are roasted in such a way as to reduce the chlorogenic acid that causes acid reflux.
This brand is so mommy-centric that it even provides customers with expert articles about drinking coffee during pregnancy. Since it's organically processed, Little Coffee Place says it doesn't contain harmful chemicals and is Fair Trade certified.
Sources:
- Epicurious
- Camille Styles
- Clean Eating Kitchen
- The Skinny Confidential
- Livestrong
- Well and Good
- The Little Coffee Place
- The Darkest Roast
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. EdNews is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
There is no need to spend more money on ‘low acid' coffee. Simply put a tiny amount of baking soda in your coffee. The flavor is not affected but the acidity will drop significantly. As little as 1/4 tsp for a full pot...and much, much less for one cup.