Sourness in taste is considered the main property of coffee. For example, professionals easily distinguish between flavors and choose the most attractive option. Although for most people this taste is still unusual. Therefore, many are interested in why coffee gives sourness, what shades experts highlight, how to choose a drink with the optimal taste, and also how to create a sour taste yourself.
Coffee and acid
Did you know that standard coffee contains about thirty different acids? We are not. This is true. Coffee contains acids that are also found in vinegar and citrus fruits.
Acidity is measured on the pH scale. The latter varies from zero (strongly acidic environment) to fourteen (strongly alkaline environment). Interestingly, pure water has a pH of seven, that is, the environment in it is neutral.
What is the pH value of coffee? The regular variety has a pH of about five, meaning this drink is less acidic than fruit juice. But the pH of the acid contained in gastric juice is zero.
Acids in food do not have a harmful effect on everyone. However, if you have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract, then foods with high acidity can negatively affect your body.
Flavored
Julius Meinl Linea Casa Fruehstueck
pros
- adequate cost
- reliable packaging
- soft taste
Minuses
- uneven roasting
From 990 ₽/per 1 kg
A well-known name for Austrian coffee made from a mixture of Arabica and Robusta. The grains are approximately the same size, the degree of roasting is medium and uneven. Vacuum packaging with a valve is reliable, designed for long-term storage. The taste is classic coffee, without bright notes, with very slight bitterness and sourness. The strength is moderate. The creators of the blend clearly tried to ensure that the majority of customers liked the drink. A good choice for consumption throughout the day.
Blues Creamy Joe, flavored
pros
- exquisite taste and aroma
- high quality packaging
Minuses
- not for automatic coffee machines
From 377 ₽/for 0.2 kg
A domestic brand of flavored coffee made from selected beans collected on plantations in Brazil. The quality of the beans is quite high, the degree of roasting is medium. The taste of the finished drink is reminiscent of the cocktail of the same name. The bright notes of Kahlua liqueur are clearly felt, shaded by the soft creamy aftertaste of Baileys. Blues Creamy Joe is not for every day - it is a mood drink. Due to the added flavouring, it is not suitable for coffee machines.
Top 7 best low acidity coffee
If you are prone to acid reflux, heartburn, or have other gastrointestinal diseases that are triggered by coffee, then you should try one of the following delicious low-acid drinks.
In general, coffee lovers, who find the acidic tastes of some types of coffee too bitter and unpleasant, also began to opt for a low-acidity drink. Their acid content is minimal, and other flavors of the grains are revealed more fully and become brighter. Low-acid foods are said to have particularly noticeable fruit, nut and chocolate notes.
So, below are seven of the best low acid coffees that you should try.
Low acidity coffee LifeBoost
We believe the best low acid coffee is made by LifeBoost.
The secret to these low acid grains is that nothing is added to them and nothing is taken from them. The acid content is explained by the area in which such coffee is produced and the cultivation conditions.
These specialty grains from Nicaragua are non-GMO. They are fair trade, USDA certified organic and kosher. These grains are grown on one farm in the shade, at an altitude of more than 1.7 km. This, by the way, is unusual, since most low-acid coffee is grown at lower altitudes.
The product, grown in the shade, has a complex, prestigious taste. The fact is that the fruits of the coffee tree can fully ripen. The natural sugars of the grains are felt in the final drink; they give the product a rich taste. Less than 2% of the world's coffee is shade grown, and LifeBoost is among that number.
Farmers hand select the best grains. Each of them is harvested only when the fruit is fully ripe. LifeBoost coffee beans are then sun dried to reach the ideal moisture content of 11.5%. This prevents the development of mold. Finally, the coffee is slowly roasted. It has a pleasant taste with notes of chocolate and caramel. Since coffee is low in acidity, it does not leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
We checked the pH of this product using a universal indicator. It turned out that its pH is 6 (remember that the pH of water is 7, which corresponds to a neutral environment).
What are the disadvantages of these grains? They are quite expensive. However, the high quality is worth it.
LifeBoost Whole Bean Coffee – 340 g in jute bag
Approximate cost: $24.00
Puroast low acidity whole bean coffee
Puroast produces their low-acid coffee by slow roasting Venezuelan beans over burning wood. As a result, the acidity of the drink is reduced by 70% compared to a regular product produced by popular brands.
Additionally, Puroast coffee contains seven times more antioxidants than green tea and five times more than other coffee brands. To create its product, the company uses 100% premium raw materials. It contains no calories, gluten, or additives. Plus, this coffee is kosher.
As for the taste, it is pleasant, aromatic, such as is typical for dark roast coffee.
Puroast low acidity coffee – dark “French” roast, whole beans, 1.1 kg package
Approximate cost: $21.00
Organic low acid coffee Republika
To create low acidity coffee, Republika uses 100% organic Arabica beans that are air roasted. The product is non-GMO, fair trade and grown on Rainforest Alliance certified plantations.
The coffee has a rich, well-balanced and non-bitter taste. The acidity of the grains is reduced by 80%, so the drink will not have a harmful effect on the stomach and tooth enamel. The Republika product is ideal for both chilled drinks and regular hot coffee.
If you want coffee that tastes delicious and won't harm your digestion or teeth, then this product is for you.
Low acidity, medium-dark roast coffee Java Planet
Java Planet is a family-owned company that produces USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO coffee.
Colombian Arabica beans are used to create this low acidity product. They are fried in small batches to preserve flavor and freshness.
The taste of this drink is rich, balanced, and its acidity is weakly expressed.
Java Planet - Colombian Organic Beans, Fair Trade, Low Acid, Medium-Dark Roast, Arabica, Specialty Coffee (450g)
Approximate cost: $14.99
Lucy Jo's Coffee Mellow Belly Organic Ground Coffee
Lucy Jo's Coffee Roastery is a family-owned coffee roastery located in New York City. This ground coffee is made using organic Arabica beans from Indonesia and Brazil.
By their nature they are low acidic. Slow roasting results in a delicious, satisfying drink with a sweet, earthy flavor and hints of spice.
Lucy Jo's Coffee Mellow Belly Organic Ground Coffee, 310 g
Approximate cost: $12.89
HealthWise Low Acid Coffee for Keurig K-Cup Coffee Machines
If you have a Keurig K-Cup coffee machine, then you'll be glad to know that you don't miss out on the chance to try the low-acid drink.
This premium Keurig product is made using Colombian Arabica beans. The roasting process is approved by the FDA - Food and Drug Administration. The result is coffee of low acidity, which does not have bitterness and harshness of taste. However, it retains all the essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Additionally, this product is kosher and contains no nut residues.
K-Cup coffee pods fit any Keurig 2.0 coffee machine.
HealthWise Low Acid Coffee for Keurig K-Cup Coffee Machines, 100% Colombia Supremo, 12 pcs.
Approximate cost: $12.64
Tieman's Fusion Low Acid Medium Roast Coffee
Tieman's Fusion Low Acid Ground Coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans sourced from South and Central America. The word “Fusion” in the name means that red rooibos tea and matcha green tea are added to it. As a result, the product has an almost neutral environment and, therefore, the concentration of acids in it is low.
In addition, the antioxidant content in this drink is five times higher than the daily requirement. Matcha green tea helps burn fat reserves and produce energy. This means you can get your caffeine fix without the side effects like jitters and stomach upset, and you can still lose weight!
This coffee has a balanced and soft taste. This drink is best prepared in a French press.
Ground coffee low acidity medium roast Tieman's Fusion, 280 g package
Approximate cost: $14.17
Coffee varieties without sourness
Lovers of a bitter, rich taste without sour notes are recommended to drink a drink that contains 100% robusta. And if you want to drink espresso, which almost always has a tart natural taste, it is better to choose strong varieties of coffee with bitterness, which contain more caffeine.
When choosing a variety without sourness, you should focus on its characteristics, geography of origin, and degree of roasting. After all, taste depends on these parameters.
Today we can distinguish the following varieties without sourness:
- Mojdiana, Brazil - the taste contains notes of chocolate with cherry aroma. It is usually chosen by those who prefer a sweet and rich drink that is free of impurities.
- Yellow Maragogip, Brazil. It contains a unique bouquet of sweetness and rich aroma.
- Maragogip, Nicaragua. It has a high caffeine content. Many people add alcohol or milk to it, because it goes perfectly with these additive options. In coffee of these varieties, notes of cocoa and spices are felt.
- Robusta Cherry, India. It has a deep, rich composition. An ideal variety for espresso due to its increased strength level.
Selection of low acidity coffee
There are two main types of low acidity drink: processed and natural.
What's the difference?
Processed low acid coffee
To create this type of product, special processing techniques are used that deliberately reduce the acid content. For example, the acidity of Brazilian coffee is reduced by slow or intermittent roasting. If you steam the beans before roasting to remove their waxy outer shell, you can achieve the same effect.
Natural low acidity coffee
This type of drink by its nature has a low concentration of acids. As a rule, this type includes coffee that is grown at low altitudes. The product from Brazil, Sumatra, Peru, Guatemala and Mexico is a natural low acidity coffee.
Inexpensive coffee (up to 200 rub.)
Lebo Original
pros
- invigorating effect
- convenient packaging
Minuses
- weak taste and aroma
From 180 ₽
Lebo Original is an inexpensive blend of Central American Arabica varieties. The beans are medium roasted, the quality of the beans is not bad. The advantageous difference between the drink and its competitors is the packaging weighing 100 g. The taste and aroma characteristics of the finished drink are not very bright. Nevertheless, fruit and chocolate shades are clearly distinguished, and cocoa is heard in the aftertaste.
Jockey Eastern style
pros
- air valve
- informative packaging
- saturated color
Minuses
- faint odor
From 120 ₽
Another budget brand at the top made from Arabica beans collected in South America, Africa and India. It has a fairly bright, memorable taste with strong chocolate notes, light sourness and a pleasant aftertaste. More suitable for brewing in a Turk. According to some buyers, the finished drink lacks strength and aroma.
Paulig Classic
pros
- high quality beans
Minuses
- after brewing, weak taste and aroma
From 149 ₽
The brand is produced by a Finnish company. Arabica beans from Central America are used. The quality of the beans is high. Medium roast. There are overcooked grains. When you open the pack, you notice a strong coffee smell, but after cooking, its intensity decreases. The taste is inexpressive, the bitterness is barely felt, there are no nutty or chocolate tones. The color of the drink is brown, but it lacks richness. Paulig Classic is among the best inexpensive coffee varieties according to customer reviews.
Ways to reduce the acidity of coffee
The degree of roasting can greatly affect the acidity of the drink. Typically, dark roasted coffee is less acidic than light roasted coffee. In addition, you can reduce the acidity of the product by drying the whole grains, especially if they have not yet been extracted from the fruit.
This means, theoretically, you need to choose 100% Arabica coffee beans, which are grown on Brazilian plantations at low altitude, dried whole and roasted to a dark degree.
Chilled drinks are the best option
Coffee preparation method and temperature greatly affect the acidity of the finished drink.
To obtain a low acidity product, you should prepare a cold drink in a French press.
Interestingly, chilled coffee contains about 70% less acids than a regular hot drink made from the same beans. Chilled coffee can be prepared in a French press. You can familiarize yourself with this method in the article.
The information on the package must be detailed.
Pay attention to what is written on the label.
If only the country is listed, you might want to look for another coffee. “Columbia” grain is too broad a term, and we need details! Remember what is usually written on wine bottles? Country, region, grape variety, vineyard name, harvest year... It’s a similar story with coffee. We want to see the country, region, tree variety, when the coffee was harvested, how it was processed - all of which influence the level of sweetness, acidity and flavor profiles.
Photo from Point Coffee&Food blog
If you still want hot coffee...
All this, of course, is good, but no one wants to drink iced coffee when there is snow outside and the temperature is approaching zero. Don't despair!
If you don't use a finely ground product, you can still make a hot drink with low acidity. For example, if you prepare coarsely ground coffee in a French press, the concentration of acids will be relatively low. The fact is that the larger the grain particles, the less acids they will release into the water.
If you like to add milk or cream to your coffee, this is also a good way to reduce the acidity of the drink. Why? Calcium, which is found in dairy products, is an excellent acid neutralizer.
If you drink black coffee, you can try adding flavorless calcium powder to your drink to reduce the acidity.
What is the strongest coffee
Let's start with the surprising fact that in the professional coffee community the concept of strength does not exist. More measurable characteristics are used - acidity, bitterness, richness, and so on. However, among buyers, the strength of the drink plays a significant role.
Some people associate the strength of coffee with subjective sensations, most often with the richness, color and bitter taste of the infusion. But traditionally, strength refers to the caffeine content, which provides an invigorating effect. The more caffeine, the stronger the coffee.
The strongest type of coffee is Robusta. If the average caffeine content in Arabica beans is from 1 to 1.7%, then in Robusta it is twice as much - from 2 to 4%.
The content of this substance depends not only on natural factors, but also on the method of processing the grains.
Strong roast coffee is stronger. Caffeine quickly saturates the finished drink made from such grains, and the taste of the coffee becomes more intense and bitterness appears. All this is subjectively assessed as a fortress.
The strongest type of coffee is Robusta, deep roasted.
However, this answer is too general. There are many subspecies of Robusta, and some varieties of Arabica have every chance of competing with the leaders of the fortress. In addition, espresso blends are made from different varieties, resulting in very caffeinated combinations. Does the strongest coffee have a name? Let's look at specific varieties and recipes.
The strongest instant coffee
The concept of “strength” is poorly applicable to instant coffee, since the content of natural beans in this ersatz does not exceed 18-20% even in the best varieties. In cheap brands the grain content is 13-15%. Therefore, the natural caffeine component in such a drink is much lower. However, we have tried to compile a small list of strong instant coffee varieties.
- Bushido Red Katana . According to reviews, the strongest of the entire Bushido line.
- Egoist . The entire assortment here is rich in richness.
- Carte Noir . A French brand that consistently maintains a high strength.
Want advice on how to make any instant coffee strong? To do this, just add another spoonful of powder to hot water.
