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There is a lot of buzz surrounding alkaline coffee lately. But what exactly is it? And why is it becoming so popular?
In short, Alkaline Coffee is just the less acidic version of regular coffee. Many people are turning to it as a healthier alternative to regular coffee.
The health benefits of reducing acidity levels in your diet might also include reducing gastrointestinal problems, help with weight reduction, and the prevention of cancer.
The lower acidity levels are just one benefit that alkaline coffee offers. It’s also rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your body against disease.
Is Alkaline Coffee Better for You Than Regular Coffee?
Coffee has an acidic effect on the body and doesn’t “sit well” with some individuals. As a result, alkaline coffee has become a popular choice for those on an alkaline diet who wish to reduce the acidity in their food and drink.
You can adjust your body’s pH level (how alkaline or acidic it is) by eating specific foods or drinking particular beverages. The goal is to adjust alkalinity and acidity levels in the body to improve overall health and wellness.
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, however, it is also on the higher end of the acidity scale. High acidity can cause certain gastrointestinal issues in some individuals (like GERD) and is one reason this type of coffee has become a popular choice for those who no longer want to suffer with the symptoms, but still want to enjoy coffee.
Alkaline coffee has a pH level of 8 or above. This makes it less acidic than regular coffee, which has a pH level of around 4-5. So if you suffer from stomach issues after drinking coffee, this might be a good option for you.
Not only is it less acidic, but it’s also rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are important because they help to protect the body against disease.
These are the major benefits when compared to regular coffee:
Less acidic and won’t cause stomach upset in some individuals
Rich in antioxidants
Helps to alkalize the body
May improve overall health and wellness
Decreased cholesterol levels
Protects against heart disease
Helps prevent cancer
Controls high blood pressure
Promotes healthy blood circulation
Reduces the risk of degenerative diseases
Helps to prevent Parkinson’s disease
Healthy immune system support
Promotes healthy blood circulation
Rejuvenates the skin
Improves performance and endurance during exercise
Relieves headaches
Detoxifies the body
What Alkaline Coffee Isn’t
It’s important to note that alkaline coffee is not decaf coffee. Decaf coffee still has acidic properties and will not alkalize your body.
Alkaline coffee is also not bulletproof coffee. Bulletproof coffee is a type of coffee that is high in fat and low in carbs, popular with those partaking in the Keto diet. It’s made by adding butter and oil to coffee.
Even though alkaline coffee has some benefits, it’s important to remember that it’s still coffee. Coffee, whether alkaline or not, should be consumed in moderation.
If You’re on an Alkaline Diet
If you’re on an alkaline diet, alkaline coffee is a great way to get your daily dose of caffeine without compromising your diet.
This type of diet focuses on alkalizing the body. You accomplish this by eating alkalizing foods and avoiding acidic foods.
The alkalizing foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The acidic foods to avoid include certain dairy products, some meats, processed foods, carbonated beverages, and refined sugars.
How Are Alkaline Coffee and Non-Alkaline Coffee Different?
Alkaline coffee is less acidic than normal coffee. It’s also usually richer in antioxidants and alkalizing properties. If you’re looking for a healthier option, alkaline coffee is the way to go. It has more health benefits and is less likely to cause stomach upset.
Also, if you’re on an alkaline diet, alkaline coffee is a great way to get your daily dose of caffeine without compromising your diet.
How To Make Coffee More Alkaline
We discuss this in more detail below, but the easiest and quickest way to make coffee more alkaline is by neutralizing the acidity with alkalizing agents such as baking soda or with other various alkalizers (such as pH drops) that are available.
You can also use alkaline water when brewing, which has a pH of around 8 - 9. Alkaline water is in many grocery and health food stores, online, or you can make it yourself at home with a water ionizer, alkaline water pitcher, or water ionization system.
An alkaline water pitcher* will alkalize your water and remove any impurities, making it the perfect water to use for alkaline coffee. These are fairly affordable are available online or at most major retailers.
Can You Make Alkaline Coffee with Regular Coffee Beans?
Yes, you can use regular coffee beans. However, the coffee will not be as alkaline as it would be if you used low acid beans along with alkalized water.
If you wish to make your coffee more alkaline using regular coffee, simply brew the coffee as you normally would, but using alkalized water. Alternatively, you can add alkaline drops to the coffee until it reaches the desired alkalinity.
15 Easy Ways on How To Make Alkaline Coffee at Home
There are a surprising number of ways to make alkaline coffee at home without having to fork over a ton of cash:
1. Have a Cold Brew Coffee Instead
Cold brew coffee is less acidic than regular coffee because the brewing process uses cold water instead of hot water. This results in a coffee that is less bitter and also less acidic.
2. Paper Filter vs. Metal
Using a paper coffee filter can help to reduce the acidity of your coffee. Paper filters remove some of the oils and other compounds that can make coffee more acidic and bitter tasting.
3. Add Milk to Your Coffee
Because milk is slightly alkaline, adding milk to your coffee can help to neutralize the acids in your coffee. This will help a little to reduce the acidity of your coffee.
4. Brew With Low Acid Beans
There are a variety of low acid coffee beans that you can use to make your coffee. Both Lifeboost and Volcanicaare both highly acclaimed brands and have great reviews for being great tasting, low acid coffees.
5. Use Dark Roasts
An easy way to ensure lower acidity is to buy beans that have been roasted longer. Medium and dark roasts will provide you with less acidity than light roasts.
6. Stick With Arabica Coffee Beans
Arabica coffee beans are lower in acid than other coffee beans, such as Robusta. Arabica beans are also known for being smoother and less bitter.
7. Control Your Water Temperature
Coffee that is brewed at a lower temperature is going to be less acidic. So, if you want to reduce the acidity in your coffee, experiment with brewing at lower temperatures.
To compensate for the lower temperature, you’ll need to increase your extraction time. This will require a bit of trial and error to achieve proper extraction, but will be worth it in the end.
8. Add a Pinch of Salt
A little salt can go a long way in reducing the acidity of your coffee. Salt helps to neutralize the acids in coffee while also giving it a smoother taste.
9. Spice It Up With Some Cinnamon
Not only does cinnamon add a tasty note of flavor to coffee, but it also helps to reduce the acidity. Cinnamon is alkaline and will help to neutralize the acids in your coffee.
10. Brew With Egg Shells
If you’re looking for a unique way to reduce the acidity in your coffee, try brewing with eggshells. You can do this by thoroughly washing eggshells and then grinding them up. Add the eggshells to your coffee grounds and brew as usual. The calcium in the eggshells will help to neutralize the acids in your coffee.
11. Don’t Under-Extract Your Coffee
Ensure you’re not under-extracting your coffee. Under-extracted coffee will not only be sour tasting, but it will also be more acidic.
You can control acidity by adjusting your grind size. Obviously, you’ll need a decent coffee grinder to pull this off.
This kind of goes hand-in-hand with step 11 because you’re controlling extraction through grind size.
Grinding to the proper grind size ensures that you’re properly extracting your coffee. If it’s too coarse, your coffee will be under-extracted, resulting in a sour and acidic cup of coffee.
13. Add Almond Milk
If you want to make your coffee a bit more alkaline, add almond milk to it. Almonds are alkaline and can help reduce the acidity level of your coffee. Almond milk is also a low-calorie food, with just 45 calories per cup — which makes having that second latte a lot more tempting.
14. Add a Sprinkle of Baking Soda
Add a pinch of baking soda to your coffee grounds before brewing or into your cup after brewing. A 1/4 of a teaspoon will usually do the trick without being too overbearing to the taste.
15. Use Alkaline Water
This is the most obvious solution and will have the biggest impact on the alkalinity of your coffee and you can even combine this step along with one or more of the above methods.
Alkaline water has a higher pH level and will reduce the acidity of your coffee. It also comes with some potential health benefits, so it’s a win-win.
You can buy alkaline water at just about any grocery or health food store or make it yourself with a simple alkaline water filter pitcher.
What Are The Best Alkaline (Low Acid) Coffee Brands?
Check out the following brands if you’re looking for a low acid coffee that also tastes great:
Lifeboost Ground Medium Roast Coffee - Low Acid Single Origin
"The beans are sun dried, and spring water washed; The result is pure, natural coffee derived straight from nature."
If you’re looking for the best tasting, ethically sourced coffee, look no further than Lifeboost Coffee. Grown in the mountains of Central America, these coffee beans are hand selected to ensure purity and are shade grown at a high elevation to preserve flavor.
Additionally, this organic coffee is low in acidity and is 3rd party tested for toxins, so you can enjoy all the benefits of coffee without any unwanted side effects. Last, Lifeboost is so confident you’ll love their coffee that they offer a 30-day money back guarantee. Try a bag today and taste the difference!
VitaCup’s Perfect Low Acid Coffee promises to deliver delicious, clean coffee that is Fair Trade and Certified USDA Organic. This coffee comprises only coffee beans that are grown at high altitude for a complex flavor profile, and the coffee is 3rd party lab tested for mycotoxins to give you a mold-free and chemical-free cup of coffee.
VitaCup also contains chlorogenic acid antioxidants to protect and maintain overall cell health.
Offered in whole bean or ground form, VitaCup’s coffee is compatible with all drip coffee brewers, French press, electric coffee pots, reusable K-cups, cold brew & iced coffee makers.
If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious cup of low acid coffee, VitaCup is definitely a great option to check into.
Lucy Jo’s Coffee is a small batch, family-run business that takes great pride in roasting only the finest Certified Organic Arabica beans. Their low acid coffee is perfect for those who want the rich, smooth taste of a dark roast without the harshness and acidity that sometimes comes along with it.
They roast their beans by hand for optimum flavor and freshness, and they choose each bean for its ability to stand alone as a single origin. This means that there are no filler beans in their coffee - only the good stuff!
Whether you’re looking for a pick-me-up to get through the day or something to enjoy before bed, Lucy Jo’s has a coffee for you.
Stone Street’s Cold Brew Coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans, coarse ground for optimal cold brewing, and dark roasted to bring out the nutty/chocolate notes for a delicious cup of cold brew coffee.
They start with gourmet arabica coffee beans from Colombia, then grind them to the perfect coarse ground size for optimal cold brew extraction; perfect for any at-home cold brew coffee maker or system.
Stone Street’s Cold Brew Coffee is strong and smooth, making it the perfect addition to any morning routine.
This coffee is great for those seeking low acidity and full flavor. The single-origin beans are grown in low altitudes without the use of pesticides, chemicals or GMOs, resulting in a natural product that is rich in antioxidants.
Java Planet is a family-owned and operated business that guarantees your satisfaction with every purchase. If you’re not satisfied, they will ensure they make it right.
Sumatran Gayo coffee is an Indonesian coffee that is Fair Trade Certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified. It’s a crisp and complex medium roast ground coffee that is low in acidity and high in quality.
The coffee beans are roasted fresh and then immediately packed to keep the flavor locked in. Distinctive flavor notes include caramel, peach, wisteria, and cacao nib, with a hint of moist, fresh-fallen leaves in both the aroma and cup.
Sumatran Gayo coffee is perfect for those who want to enjoy a low acid cup of coffee while also supporting sustainable practices.
What we love about Volcanica is that it's 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed. If you're not happy with your purchase, they will refund your money.
Lucy Jo’s Organic Mellow Belly Breakfast Low Acid Blend is one of the most popular low acid breakfast blends currently offered. They specifically developed this blend for customers looking for a low acid medium roasted coffee.
With its smooth, sweet and earthy, nutty undertones, Lucy Jo’s Coffee is a great way to start the day. This coffee is also easy on the stomach, making it a perfect choice for those with sensitivities.
Lucy Jo’s Coffee is a family-run Certified Organic coffee roaster based in rural Upstate New York and they have earned a strong and growing following from their local and regional community and look forward to delivering their coffee to a larger audience.
Puroast coffee is perfect for those who love coffee but have trouble with heartburn, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal issues. They roast using a unique method that creates a low-acid blend that doesn’t bother your stomach and has no bitter aftertaste. The coffee is also high in antioxidants, which has been shown to offer many health benefits.
Best of all, Puroast coffee is sustainably sourced, kosher, and chemical/pesticide free. So you can feel good about drinking it knowing that you’re also doing something good to sustain coffee’s future.
Whether you prefer your coffee whole bean, ground, or in single serve cups, Puroast has a variety that will suit your needs. So start your day off right with a cup of Puroast coffee and enjoy the smooth, rich flavor you deserve.
Lifeboost Dark Roast Ground Coffee - Low Acid Single Origin
“This low acid coffee is perfect for those who have trouble digesting regular coffee. It's also rich in antioxidants, making it a great choice for those looking for a healthy caffeine fix.”
If you’re looking for the best cup of coffee money can buy, look no further than Lifeboost Single Origin Acid Free Coffee.
Grown in the mountains of Central America at high elevations, these coffee beans are hand-selected to ensure purity and shade-grown to protect bird populations.
Low acidity coffee is easier on your stomach and teeth, and this dark roast delivers all the flavor you love without the unwanted side effects. Lifeboost is certified organic and third-party tested for mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and 400 other toxins. With Lifeboost, you’re getting a cup of joe that’s as pure as it is delicious.
Try it for 30 days and see for yourself why this coffee has won awards and raving reviews. They’re so confident you’ll love it, they’ll give your money back if you’re not absolutely loving it.
Lifeboost is also offered in whole bean form for the ultimate in freshness.
In this article, we have explored alkaline coffee—a type of coffee that has become popular in recent years because of its lower acidity levels and potential health benefits.
We’ve also included 15 ways to reduce the levels of acidity in your cup and make alkaline coffee at home. We hope this allows you to enjoy this remarkable beverage for decades to come.
If you also want to reduce the size of your coffee gear setup in addition to the acidity in your cup, check out this post on the best and smallest coffee grinders on the market today.
FAQs About Alkaline Coffee
What coffee is alkaline?
Coffea Arabica is the most common alkaline coffee. It’s primarily grown in Ethiopia and is also commonly called “mountain coffee”.
This coffee is known for its lower acidity levels and unique flavor and aroma. Because it’s higher in antioxidants and is lower in caffeine and acidity than ordinary grocery store brands, it’s more beneficial to your health as well as your taste buds.
Is cold brew coffee less acidic?
Yes. Cold brew coffee is less acidic than coffee brewed with hot water and therefore is a better choice for people with acid reflux and gastrointestinal issues like GERD. Cold brew coffee is a smoother beverage for most people because it lacks the acidic properties found in hot brewed coffee.
Does cinnamon reduce acid in coffee?
Cinnamon is a natural antacid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. When taken in small quantities, it can help reduce acidity levels in the body. Adding a pinch of cinnamon to coffee can help neutralize acids without negatively affecting the flavor or smell of your java. In fact, most people will agree it enhances the flavor.
What types of coffee are least acidic?
The least acidic coffees are darker roasts, coffee brewed using faster brewing methods (like espresso), low-acid coffee beans (grown at lower elevations), and lower temperature brewing methods such as cold brew.
Also, you might consider alternatives to coffee altogether, like Matcha tea or Chicory coffee. Both beverages are alkaline and also have other health benefits.
What is the pH of alkaline coffee?
Alkaline coffee has a pH of around 8 to 9. Alkaline refers to a measurement on the pH scale. This scale ranges in value from 0 to 14. The lower numbers are more acidic, while the higher numbers are more alkaline, with 7 being neutral. Most alkaline coffee will have a pH of 8 to 9 while pure water has a neutral pH of 7.
Comparatively, normal coffee has a pH of around 4 to 5, making it more acidic. Some even place it as low as 4 on the pH scale.
How can alkaline coffee help you?
If you have a sensitive stomach, alkaline coffee may help you avoid stomach upset and acid reflux, especially if you consume a lot of coffee.
The antioxidants in alkaline coffee can help you fight disease and improve your overall health.
Alkaline coffee can help alkalize your body, which is important for optimal health and may help improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Is coffee acidic or alkaline?
Regular coffee is naturally acidic, with a pH level between 4.85 and 5.10. Conversely, alkaline coffee has a pH level of 8 - 9. This is because it’s brewed with alkalized water, which has a pH level of around 8 to 9, and since coffee is mostly water, it takes on the alkaline characteristics of the water.
What is the difference between alkaline water and regular water?
Alkaline water has a pH level of 8 or 9, whereas regular water has a neutral pH level of 7. Electrolysis is the process responsible for creating alkaline water. It removes impurities and raises the pH level.
Can I drink coffee on an alkaline diet?
Yes, you can drink coffee when on this type of diet. However, it’s important to monitor the acidity in your coffee. Alkaline coffee is much less acidic and won’t disrupt the alkalinity of your body.
If you want to alkalize your body, it’s important to focus on alkalizing foods and beverages. Alkaline coffee is the perfect way to alkalize your body and still get your daily dose of caffeine.
Happy Tweaking!
From a very young "growth-stunting" age, Clint Doerfler has had a deep-rooted love for coffee. As a result, he founded Coffee Gear Gurus® to share his passion for incredible home brewed coffee with others. When he's not watching true crime shows with family or playing music, he's devoted to helping fellow coffee feins make amazing coffee at home - regardless of their experience.
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