Everybody just loves coffee – and well, this may be just another understatement. For most people, coffee is how and where they start their day. Some of them would not even survive a day without having at least one cup of coffee. Needless to say, it has become a part of their lifestyle.
The best thing about coffee is that it has lots of health benefits that all consumers can enjoy. Caffeine can make any person feel more alive and energetic. At the same time, the antioxidants found in all kinds of caffeinated beverages can prevent the occurrence of cancer and other illnesses. These are just some of the great advantages that coffee lovers can get from drinking it.
However, the caffeine and acidity found in coffee may also lead to some medical problems. One of which is having an upset stomach. Because of this, it is important for people to control their intake of coffee on a regular basis. However, rather than limiting coffee consumption, many people are switching to low acid coffee instead.
What is Low Acid Coffee?
So what is this thing called low acid coffee? Does it even exist? Is this something familiar to you? This type of coffee is achieved by special processing of the coffee beans before they are roasted or by roasting the coffee beans for a much longer period of time. Either method can have an impact on the level of acidity in the coffee you enjoy each day.
Traditionally, dark-roasted coffee beans were less acidic because they contain more NMP or N-Methyl Pyridinium. This compound has the ability to prevent the cells in our stomach from making more acids than necessary.
However, thanks to innovative processing methods and roasting techniques coffee does not have to be dark roasted to be low in acid. Many medium and light coffees are now available for those people that do not enjoy darker roasts.
Also, be aware that they are some companies that do use solvents for processing, but most don’t. On the other hand, there are also coffee beans that are naturally low in acid, depending on where they come from. Those coming from the Caribbean, Sumatra, Hawaii, and Brazil might have less acidity.
Choosing The Right Brand
Because this type of coffee is beginning to become more popular in the market, many companies are starting to offer different varieties for it. As a result, the consumers are given more options to choose the specific coffee variety that they want to buy. With more brands to choose from, it becomes challenging to pick the best.
The question now is: how do you select the right low acid coffee brand for you?
If it’s your first time shopping for less acidic coffee, it’s only natural to go through some hit-and-miss decisions, particularly if you are the kind of person who is always looking for something specific with regards to the taste and quality of the coffee. For sure, you are looking for something that will still taste like your standard cup of coffee, but with a twist of it being less acidic.
To solve your dilemma, it is highly recommended that you do research about it. Make sure that you read the product description for all the coffee beans that you want to purchase. While many roasters might claim to be low acid, keep in mind that your goal is to choose a supplier that sells coffee that is truly less acidic.
A good rule of thumb is to look for certifications or third party analysis of the coffee. Trust but verify. Do not just take someone’s word for it. Nonetheless, it is also essential to note that in the process of selecting the right coffee beans, you also need to take into consideration its origin and taste.
Importance of Low Acid Coffee
As already mentioned above, this type of coffee can provide several benefits to the body. Aside from the instant energy boost that anyone will surely appreciate, coffee simply can complete your daily routine. Can you imagine how a day in the office would look like without your favorite cup of coffee?
While coffee offers lots of advantages to your daily life, you still need to remember that as you start to age, the more sensitive your body becomes. For example, your digestive system may be affected easily if you do not watch out for what you eat and drink. Keep in mind that the continuous intake of coffee with high acidity can be harmful for you.
Because of this, experts recommend low acid coffee instead. A recent study also shows that this type of caffeinated drink is perfect for aging people, particularly seniors.
It will allow them to enjoy their favorite beverage without having to worry about upsetting their stomach or experiencing other digestive issues such as:
Low acid coffee can taste the same as your regular coffee. Many consumers even say that there is no difference as far as the taste is concerned. Since it is less acidic, low acid coffee can be less and bitter and have a smoother taste.
Can You Make Your Own Low Acid Coffee?
If you are in a pinch and do not have access to low acid coffee, good news is that you can actually make your own low acid coffee through methods such as cold brewing. The process is so easy to follow.
1. You need to pick the right kind of coffee beans to use.
If you are not sure about the acid content of the coffee beans, you could go for dark roast coffee, like the French and Italian roast, as they are typically lower in acidic content compared to the light or medium roast coffee.
It is also better to use coffee that is coarsely ground, as finely ground beans may only extract too much acid as you brew it. You may initially try medium ground beans and see how your stomach will react to it.
2. Place around 2 cups of coarse ground coffee in a fine mesh bag and put it pitcher filled with 64 ounces of water.
After that, refrigerate the mixture overnight. The purpose of setting it aside is to allow the coffee to steep for at least 12 hours.
3. Once the steeping process is completed, take the coffee out of the refrigerator and pull the bag filled with coffee grounds.
Extract the flavor by squeezing the bag over the pitcher.
4. Pour over ice and you now have a coffee that is lower in acid. For those that prefer their coffee hot.
Double the amount of coffee from 2 cups to 4 cups. This will make a concentrate that can be mixed with hot water in equals parts should you what hot coffee.
Conclusion
Now coffee lovers can stick to what they love, drinking the most without having to worry about possible health problems. This is made possible by the existence of low acid coffee.
As you can see, there’s no longer any reason for you not to be able to enjoy your favorite coffee. No matter how old you are or how sensitive your stomach may become, there is low acid coffee that you can always turn to whenever you need a quick pick-me-up booster.
We hope we covered all your questions on "What is Low Acid Coffee". if not, be sure to leave them in the comments below!
