How to Fight Acid Reflux & Stomach Issues
As an Amazon Associate, Brew Smartly earns from qualifying purchases. That comes at no extra cost
Best Low Acid Coffee for a Pick-Me-Up without the Sharp Edge
We’re rating the best Starbucks low acid coffee, specially crafted with roasted Arabica beans to help those looking for a smooth, delicious coffee but with less of that sharp edge. It’s perfect for those mornings when you need a pick-me-up but doesn’t want to deal with an upset stomach.
Those of you with stomach issues (e.g., GERD) probably know that your only chance to enjoy the taste of coffee is to drink the low acid varieties, such as the low acid coffee from Starbucks.
This coffee is specially designed to have a low acidity level so that those of us with acid reflux and other stomach sensitivities can drink it without any problems. The company has been offering this coffee for many years now, and it continues to be one of its most popular items.
Let’s take a closer look at the best low acid coffee from Starbucks.
What You Should Know about Low Acid Coffee
Low acid coffee is coffee that has been specifically designed to have a low acidity level. This means that it is less likely to cause stomach problems, especially for those suffering from GERD or a predisposition towards ulcers.
Starbucks offers a variety of low acid coffees, including Pike Place Roast, Veranda Blend, and Decaf House Blend.
When you crunch the numbers, buying the beans is cheaper than going to Starbucks. So if you’re on a tight budget, buy the Starbucks beans instead.
If you’re looking for a low acid coffee that you can take on the go, Starbucks also offers their Pike Place Roast in a K-Cup pod. This means that you can enjoy a fresh cup of low-acid coffee in minutes without leaving your home.
So if you’re looking for a high-quality low-acid coffee, Starbucks is the place to go. With various drinks to choose from and K-Cup pods for on-the-go convenience, Starbucks has everything you need to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee without having to worry about the adverse effects.
Benefits of Starbucks Low Acid Coffee
Drinking low-acid coffee has several health-related benefits, and we will be covering each of them briefly:
Prevents Stomach Issues
This is arguably the most obvious reason anyone should switch to low-acid coffee since regular coffee can cause plenty of stomach issues like heartburn, GERD, and indigestion.
Studies have shown that low-acid coffee is much easier on the stomach and doesn’t lead to any of the problems mentioned above, even in people with sensitive stomachs.
Protects Your Teeth
The high acidity levels of regular coffee can damage your teeth over time by corroding the layer of enamel off of your teeth (it doesn’t regenerate).
On the other hand, low-acid coffee doesn’t have the same erosive effect on your teeth, making you less likely to suffer dental problems like tooth decay and cavities.
This benefit applies to anyone who regularly drinks coffee, not just those with stomach issues, so low-acid coffee is the way to go if your dentist says your enamel looks a bit thinner.
Best Low Acid Coffee
All these beans were grown, treated, and brewed in particular ways to decrease the coffee acidity level as much as possible. And that’s what we are discussing below:
Growing Environment
How Starbucks’ coffee beans are grown can play a big role in how low the acidity level of the coffee is.
For example, elevation plays the biggest role in determining how acidic the coffee beans will be since high altitudes mean that the plants will grow in a low-oxygen environment.
So, go to Starbucks’ website, see the origin of the beans used to make your favorite beverages, and stick to ones grown in areas like Brazil or Indonesia.
That also happens to be one of the secrets behind the Starbucks Sumatra dark roast ground coffee – one of the company’s specialties.
Coffee Bean Variety
The most common coffee beans harvested worldwide are the Robusta and the Arabica varieties. When looking for a low-acid option, always stick to Arabica coffee.
It has a fraction of the Robusta’s acidity, but it also only has about half the amount of caffeine.
Type of Coffee Beans
The link between coffee acidity and upset stomachs was made long ago, which lead to the development of specialized low-acidity coffee beans.
These have such low levels of acid that the resulting coffee will be safe for anyone with GERD, heartburn, or any other stomach-related issues, regardless of how you roast or brew them.
Roasting Method
If you take a closer look at Starbucks ‘ menu (or ask their baristas), you’ll notice that almost all of their low-acid coffees are the dark roast kind – that’s not a coincidence.
You see, dark roasts will be less acidic than medium and light roasts, although this also means that the coffee’s taste will be more intense and less sweet. As such, the roasting method matters.
Brewing Method
The brewing method is also important for low-acid coffee, and there are a few ways in which you can make your regular cup less acidic.
For example, any brewing method that uses coarse grinds (e.g., French press) will result in acidic coffee.
Moreover, brewing methods that keep the coffee grounds in contact with hot boiling water for very little time will also result in acidic (possibly under-extracted) coffee.
The least acidic brewing method is cold brew, where coffee grounds are steeped in the water for up to 24 hours.
Serving Method
Starbucks has always been the center of attention (in a bad way) because they enhance all of their coffees with tons of cream, milk, sprinkles, sugar, syrup, and other additives.
However, this can also help reduce the acidity of your coffee, as long as it’s done correctly.
For example, adding milk or cream is a well-known method of reducing your coffee’s acidity (almond milk is a common favorite). On the other hand, sugar and sugar-based syrups will increase your coffee’s acidity (and caloric value).
Decaf
The same methods used to strip coffee beans of their innate acidity are also used to eliminate some of the caffeine inside them.
So, next time you go to Starbucks and want to order some low-acid coffee but have no idea what to order, your safest bet is with decaf.
