Best Low Acid Coffee: Take Back Your Cup With These Flavorful Roasts! (Updated For 2023)

The best low acid coffee is a life preserver in the open ocean for some people, especially when considering both the modern diet and lifestyle.

We eat more processed food, sugar, soda, and unhealthy grains than ever before.

It's taken a toll on our ability to digest as we once did, having lived mostly on water, fresh veggies, a bit of protein, and maybe some fruit.

Millions of Americans deal with intestinal, kidney, or esophageal distress to some degree.

Those of us who feel the effects of lemon juice, spaghetti sauce, or fried foods will undoubtedly feel the same with coffee.

And for someone who loves coffee, in all its flavorful and health-packed glory, the idea of permanently shunning their morning cup simply isn’t an option.

Hence the life preserver.

Low acid coffee allows coffee aficionados with stomach issues to still experience the incredible smell that permeates their house, the taste that fills their mouth, and the satisfying effect of coffee every single morning.

How?

Acid plays an important role in coffee.

It’s a major component of the flavors that make a great cup something to savor, but the acidity in coffee (and the caffeine itself) can also contribute to an ill effect on the stomach.

Let's get started.

Why You Can Trust The Coffee Maven

Quick Picks
Best Low-Acid Coffee

What's best for us may not be best for you. Let's expand upon the Top Picks above and highlight a few more of the Best Low-Acid Coffees by category:

Not sure which is right for you? The next section should help...

3 Tips When Buying

Before we get to the individual Best Low-Acid Coffee reviews, let's take a look at the rankings.

Overall
92
Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast

Simpatico's Low-Acid Dark Roast is shade-grown at high altitudes in Mexico and is naturally low-acid. It's sweet and toasty with a mild finish and comes in either 2 lb or 5 lb bags of whole bean coffee.
Overall
91
Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid

This low-acid single-origin roast from the Sumatra region of Indonesia is sweet with a heavy body and intense, syrupy aftertaste. It's also Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified for a sustainably-brewed cup.
Overall
91
Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee

"The World's First Acid-Free Coffee." It's a bold claim, but Tyler's Coffee claims their unique roasting process prevents acids from forming. This organic coffee comes in regular, decaf, ground, and whole bean.
Overall
90
Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid

An organic, low-acid coffee from Colombian, this medium roast from Java Planet is Fair Trade certified and organic with a smooth, bold, and full flavor that puts many other low-acid coffees to shame.
Overall
90
Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid

A medium-roast blend of 100% Arabica from Indonesia and Brazil, Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly is an organic, low-acid option that's smooth and sweet with a hint of spice. It also comes in both whole bean and ground coffee.
Overall
89
Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid

Tieman's Fusion Coffee isn't just coffee. They infuse their 100% Arabica beans with green tea, red rooibos tea, and goji berries for an intriguing blend that's low in acidity but high in antioxidants, caffeine, and flavor.
Overall
89
Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast

Puroast's Low-Acid French Roast is big and bold but easy on your gut. A balanced, organic, single-origin coffee from Venezuela, it has deep chocolaty notes with a rich, earthy backbone without being over-roasted.
Overall
88
Mommee Coffee Low-Acid

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid

Mommee Coffee is designed for and by moms, and their low-acid series offers 4 different caffeination levels: regular, half-caf, quarter-caf, and decaf. It's a solid choice for moms and dads alike.
Overall
88
Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups

HealthWise uses an FDA-approved process called TechnoRoasting that reduces acid with minimal degradation to their 100% Colomian Supremo Arabica beans. In addition to K-Cups, HealthWise offers ground coffee as well.
Overall
88
truCup Low-Acid Coffee

truCup Low-Acid Coffee

truCup Low-Acid Coffee

truCup Low-Acid Coffee

truCup offers a wide range of low-acid coffees from their light to dark to espresso roast. They remove the acid through a gentle, chemical-free process, leaving flavorful, easy-drinking, 100% Arabica coffee behind.
Overall
85
Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast

A low-acid espresso roast from Mastermind Coffee, their Brain-Enhancing blend is smooth and strong with a hint of sweetness but not much complexity. Some claim a cup helps your mind, but it's definitely easy on your stomach.

Is This Guide For You?

Our editors have rated and ranked each option. Without further ado, here are our official reviews in this all-encompassing buying guide.

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast
Overall Rating
92
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
93
Freshness (20%)
90
Balance & Acidity (10%)
92
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
90
Roaster Reputation (10%)
90
The Bottom Line
Simpatico's Low-Acid Dark Roast is shade-grown at high altitudes in Mexico and is naturally low-acid. It's sweet and toasty with a mild finish and comes in either 2 lb or 5 lb bags of whole bean coffee.

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast Pros

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast Cons

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 2 lbs
  • Organic: No
  • Origin: Mexico
  • Notes: Sweet and toasty with a mild chocolate finish

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast Pros

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast Cons

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 2 lbs
  • Organic: No
  • Origin: Mexico
  • Notes: Sweet and toasty with a mild chocolate finish
Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid
Overall Rating
91
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
92
Freshness (20%)
88
Balance & Acidity (10%)
91
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
90
Roaster Reputation (10%)
88
The Bottom Line
This low-acid single-origin roast from the Sumatra region of Indonesia is sweet with a heavy body and intense, syrupy aftertaste. It's also Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified for a sustainably-brewed cup.

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid Pros

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid Cons

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Sumatra, Indonesia
  • Notes: Sweet, heavy body with an intense, syrupy aftertaste

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid Pros

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid Cons

Volcanica Sumatran Gayo Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Sumatra, Indonesia
  • Notes: Sweet, heavy body with an intense, syrupy aftertaste
Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee
Overall Rating
91
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
92
Freshness (20%)
88
Balance & Acidity (10%)
94
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
90
Roaster Reputation (10%)
90
The Bottom Line
"The World's First Acid-Free Coffee." It's a bold claim, but Tyler's Coffee claims their unique roasting process prevents acids from forming. This organic coffee comes in regular, decaf, ground, and whole bean.

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee Pros

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee Cons

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Chiapas, Mexico
  • Notes: Smooth, bold, full flavor

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee Pros

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee Cons

Tyler's No-Acid Organic Coffee Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Chiapas, Mexico
  • Notes: Smooth, bold, full flavor
Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid
Overall Rating
90
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
93
Freshness (20%)
86
Balance & Acidity (10%)
90
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
85
Roaster Reputation (10%)
88
The Bottom Line
An organic, low-acid coffee from Colombian, this medium roast from Java Planet is Fair Trade certified and organic with a smooth, bold, and full flavor that puts many other low-acid coffees to shame.

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid Pros

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid Cons

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 16 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Colombia
  • Notes: Smooth, but bold, full flavor

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid Pros

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid Cons

Java Planet Colombian Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 16 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Colombia
  • Notes: Smooth, but bold, full flavor
Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid
Overall Rating
90
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
91
Freshness (20%)
90
Balance & Acidity (10%)
92
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
90
Roaster Reputation (10%)
85
The Bottom Line
A medium-roast blend of 100% Arabica from Indonesia and Brazil, Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly is an organic, low-acid option that's smooth and sweet with a hint of spice. It also comes in both whole bean and ground coffee.

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid Pros

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid Cons

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 11 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Indonesia and Brazil
  • Notes: Smooth, sweet and earthy, with a hint of spice

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid Pros

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid Cons

Lucy Jo's Mellow Belly Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 11 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Indonesia and Brazil
  • Notes: Smooth, sweet and earthy, with a hint of spice
Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid
Overall Rating
89
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
92
Freshness (20%)
85
Balance & Acidity (10%)
92
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
82
Roaster Reputation (10%)
85
The Bottom Line
Tieman's Fusion Coffee isn't just coffee. They infuse their 100% Arabica beans with green tea, red rooibos tea, and goji berries for an intriguing blend that's low in acidity but high in antioxidants, caffeine, and flavor.

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid Pros

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid Cons

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 10 oz
  • Organic: No
  • Origin: Arabica beans, Central and South America
  • Notes: Rich and bold with slight sweetness

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid Pros

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid Cons

Tieman's Fusion Coffee Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 10 oz
  • Organic: No
  • Origin: Arabica beans, Central and South America
  • Notes: Rich and bold with slight sweetness
Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast
Overall Rating
89
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
90
Freshness (20%)
85
Balance & Acidity (10%)
90
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
90
Roaster Reputation (10%)
88
The Bottom Line
Puroast's Low-Acid French Roast is big and bold but easy on your gut. A balanced, organic, single-origin coffee from Venezuela, it has deep chocolaty notes with a rich, earthy backbone without being over-roasted.

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast Pros

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast Cons

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Venezuela
  • Notes: Balanced, rich, and mild

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast Pros

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast Cons

Puroast Low-Acid Organic French Roast Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Venezuela
  • Notes: Balanced, rich, and mild
Mommee Coffee Low-Acid
Overall Rating
88
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
90
Freshness (20%)
85
Balance & Acidity (10%)
90
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
83
Roaster Reputation (10%)
85
The Bottom Line
Mommee Coffee is designed for and by moms, and their low-acid series offers 4 different caffeination levels: regular, half-caf, quarter-caf, and decaf. It's a solid choice for moms and dads alike.

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid Pros

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid Cons

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Primarily from Ethiopia, Peru, Columbia and Mexico
  • Notes: Depends on roast level!

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid Pros

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid Cons

Mommee Coffee Low-Acid Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Primarily from Ethiopia, Peru, Columbia and Mexico
  • Notes: Depends on roast level!
Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups
Overall Rating
88
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
90
Freshness (20%)
83
Balance & Acidity (10%)
90
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
85
Roaster Reputation (10%)
85
The Bottom Line
HealthWise uses an FDA-approved process called TechnoRoasting that reduces acid with minimal degradation to their 100% Colomian Supremo Arabica beans. In addition to K-Cups, HealthWise offers ground coffee as well.

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups Pros

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups Cons

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: No
  • Origin: Colombia
  • Notes: Mellow, full flavor

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups Pros

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups Cons

Healthwise Low-Acid K-Cups Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 12 oz
  • Organic: No
  • Origin: Colombia
  • Notes: Mellow, full flavor
truCup Low-Acid Coffee
Overall Rating
88
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
88
Freshness (20%)
88
Balance & Acidity (10%)
92
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
85
Roaster Reputation (10%)
85
The Bottom Line
truCup offers a wide range of low-acid coffees from their light to dark to espresso roast. They remove the acid through a gentle, chemical-free process, leaving flavorful, easy-drinking, 100% Arabica coffee behind.

truCup Low-Acid Coffee Pros

truCup Low-Acid Coffee Cons

truCup Low-Acid Coffee Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 2 lb and 5 lb
  • Organic: No
  • Origin: Unlisted
  • Notes: Full body, Earthy (especially as compared to the milder and darker roasts by trĂĽcup)

truCup Low-Acid Coffee Pros

truCup Low-Acid Coffee Cons

truCup Low-Acid Coffee Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 2 lb and 5 lb
  • Organic: No
  • Origin: Unlisted
  • Notes: Full body, Earthy (especially as compared to the milder and darker roasts by trĂĽcup)
Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast
Overall Rating
85
Flavor & Aroma (50%)
84
Freshness (20%)
87
Balance & Acidity (10%)
82
Body & Mouthfeel (10%)
85
Roaster Reputation (10%)
83
The Bottom Line
A low-acid espresso roast from Mastermind Coffee, their Brain-Enhancing blend is smooth and strong with a hint of sweetness but not much complexity. Some claim a cup helps your mind, but it's definitely easy on your stomach.

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast Pros

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast Cons

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 10 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Unlisted
  • Notes: Smooth and strong with slight sweetness

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast Pros

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast Cons

Mastermind Coffee Low-Acid, Brain-Enhancing Espresso Roast Features & Specifications

  • Weight: 10 oz
  • Organic: Yes
  • Origin: Unlisted
  • Notes: Smooth and strong with slight sweetness

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the acids associated with coffee (and why are they important)?

The reason we perceive acidity (or bitterness/tanginess/tartness) from coffee is due to the interaction of the acids on the taste buds of your tongue.

Interestingly, sourness is an extreme of acidity and is typically considered a coffee defect.

Coffee acidity is a highly-valued quality and is found especially in the following types and conditions:

  • Central America coffee
  • Some East African coffee
  • Very high altitude coffee
  • Coffee grown in mineral-rich volcanic soils

The perceived acidity of washed coffees is also significantly higher than the acidity found in natural (dry) processed coffee.

This is likely due to an increase in the body of naturally-processed coffees relative to wet-processed coffees since body masks the acidity in coffee.

The coffee acid content in a brew is also greatly dependent upon the coffee roasting degree, type of roaster, and coffee brewing method.

Almost 50 different acids are found in coffee!

Interestingly, many of the acids found in roasted beans are also found in other foods we ingest.

  • Citric, malic, and formic acid are found in many fruits and vegetables.
  • Lactic acid is found naturally in fermented food items like yogurt and kombucha.
  • Acetic acid gives pickled products (and specifically vinegar) the tart flavor they possess.

Incredibly, chlorogenic acids (found in coffee, blueberries, potatoes, etc.) have been found to make up around 7% of the dry basis weight of Arabica coffee, and over 17 chlorogenic acid-like substances have been found in 42 robusta samples.

Chlorogenic acid is very prevalent in coffee and is responsible for much of the perceived acidity that we experience in our cup.

Acidity & Flavor

If you’re as curious as we are about the science behind what you’re actually tasting when you think of acidity, it’s as follows, according to Starbucks:

AcidFlavor Impact
Citric AcidShowcases lemon, orange, grapefruit notes
Phosphoric AcidTastes sweeter than most acids and can turn sour-tasting grapefruit to sweet
Malic AcidTends to exhibit essences of stone fruit, apple or pear
Chlorogenic AcidRepresented in high levels in light roasts, making them taste “bright”
Acetic AcidFound in vinegar and while low levels are pleasant, high levels create a bitter bite
Tartaric AcidGrape or wine-like at low levels and sour if concentration is too high
Quinic AcidCan give coffee a clean finish, but too much can taste sour and highly astringent or harsh
Citric acid, the stuff that makes lemons sour, can be found in coffee. (Source)

Growing Regions & Acidity

The location of where the beans were harvested plays a big role in determining how much (and what type) of acidity you might experience.

For instance, Ethiopia is a great region to get a good grasp of how much acidity you might enjoy, as it tends to be higher. Ethiopian coffee is often described as bright and citrusy, with hints of lemon and orange popping in your mouth as you sip.

On the other end of the spectrum, Guatemalan coffee has bit of a lower acidity level. Guatemalan coffee drinkers may notice apples, pears, and berries, along with a soft, balanced acidity, driven by the malic acid that’s inherent to the roasting process.

Another example that’s quite different from the former entries is the coffee growing region of Sumatra in Indonesia. This coffee is characterized by chocolaty, earthy flavors, and Sumatran coffee offers a very soft and mellow experience relevant to its acidity.

All of these factors are inherent to the beans found in their specific region.

It’s plain to see that acidity, for better or worse, contributes greatly to flavor, which is why resorting to low acid coffees will definitely sacrifice some flavor.

Coffee growing regions via Wikimedia Commons.

What makes low-acid coffee?

Now that we understand how region weighs heavily on the acidity level of your coffee beans, what other factors make your coffee less acidic?

Although it doesn’t have a huge impact, it’s been shown that calcium-containing products like milk (or even eggshells, if you’ve ever seen the movie The Big Store) help neutralize acids.

Pro Tip: If you’re a milk-user when it comes to your coffee, choose low-fat milk as it contains more calcium.

The best way to deal with a rebellious stomach, though, isn’t to try to neutralize existing acids. Instead, focus on reducing acidity with a change to your brewing process:

  • Try a darker roast or a bean from a region with lower acidity
  • Try a coarser grind
  • Try a new brewing method

Did you know lighter roasts generally contain higher concentrations of acids than darker roasts?

This should come as no surprise when you consider that lighter roasts tend to contain more caffeine, and caffeine is directly responsible for an increase in stomach acids to be released.

Coarsely-ground pour-over coffee, pre and post-brew. (Serious Eats)

In turn, caffeine also causes the esophageal sphincter is relaxed.  Some people experience heartburn when the acids reflux back into the esophagus.

Other options to reduce the acidity in your coffee:

  • Try a dark roast over a light roast, as mentioned previously.
  • Go with coarsely ground coffee, which extracts more slowly and releases fewer acids than finely ground coffee.
  • Cold water extracts fewer acids (up to 70% less!) so try cold brew coffee.
  • Robusta beans over Arabica, as Robusta beans tend to have less acidity naturally.

Final Thoughts When Choosing The Best Low Acid Coffee

Even the best low acid coffee isn’t going to win taste awards when compared to the finest traditional beans available.

It’s simply a situation where the chemistry of coffee is true to its nature, and some of the reason for coffee’s brightness and flavor also puts stress on the human body.

At the end of the day, though, low-acid coffee provides an answer for those who love coffee, but not its possible side effects.

Best Low-Acid Coffee

The Coffee Maven's Top Pick

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast

Simpatico Low-Acid Dark Roast

Simpatico's Low-Acid Dark Roast is shade-grown at high altitudes in Mexico and is naturally low-acid. It's sweet and toasty with a mild finish and comes in either 2 lb or 5 lb bags of whole bean coffee.

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About The Coffee Maven
bryan de luca
Bryan De Luca

I'm Bryan but most people know me as The Coffee Maven. I grew up outside Boston, Massachusetts and received my Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Providence College. My first introduction to coffee was during my college days, when I used it as a source of caffeine to fuel late-night study sessions, but soon I became obsessed with the chemistry of coffee. How did changes to water temperature or contact time affect its taste? Why do beans from Africa taste fruity while beans from Indonesia taste spicy? I launched The Coffee Maven in February 2017 to explore these questions and help others brew their perfect cup. Welcome to my site, and thanks for reading!