Posted by Yes, coffee is acidic. Most varieties of this beverage are acidic but usually, it contains an average pH value of 4.85 to 5.10 making it less acidic than beer, soda, and other citric beverages. But the pH level is not the actual discussion when we talk about acidity in coffee
Is acidity good in coffee?
Yes, the acidity level of coffee is a good thing only if the coffee beans are well-grown and well-roasted. If there is no or low acidity in coffee, it becomes mellow and cannot fulfill its purpose.
Acidity in Coffee
Coffee taste depends on how acidic coffee is. Acidity is the presence of certain acids in the coffee that is responsible for affecting the taste of the coffee. This means that acidity refers to the flavor of coffee rather than the content of acid in it.
Acids Found in Coffee
Coffee possesses many acids, some of which wouldn’t survive the roasting process and start vanishing on different roast levels. Following are the acids that can survive the coffee brewing process.
Citric Acid: Citric acid has a positive impact on coffee and is found in arabica beans which grow in hilly areas. This acid can also be found in citrus fruits like lemon and limes which have the maximum amount of it while fruits like oranges and grapefruit contain a lesser amount of citric acid.
Phosphoric Acid: This acid is sweeter in taste as compared to other acids and it can turn the sour taste of fruit like grapefruit into a sweet taste.
Malic Acid: Malic acid gives food a tart taste and can be found in stone fruits like cherries, peaches, plums, and apricots.
Chlorogenic Acids: CGAs are the reason coffee falls in the category of an acidic beverage. When coffee is brewed it reduces acidity as the roasting process helps them disappear.
Acetic Acid:
The acid you can find in vinegar with a sharp taste but lower concentration. The higher concentrations will be dangerous and if coffee contains high acetic acid, it means it is not processed properly.
Tartaric Acid:
Tartaric acid is like acetic acid which, in high concentrations, gives a bitter taste. But in low concentrations, it can give the notes found in grapes or wine as it is found in grapes.
Quinic Acid:
Quinic acid is not an acid itself but a byproduct of other acids. Quinic acid gives a sour feeling to our stomach and is present in rich quantities in darker roast coffee and coffee with a higher brewing time.
THE ROASTING PROCESS AND ITS EFFECTS ON COFFEE ACIDS
The coffee beans contain acids that have a concentration different before undergoing any chemical reactions. The roasting process may increase or reduce the acidity of many coffees depending on the type of beans. These acids are the reason that gives any coffee distinct characteristics, and the process of roasting turns those characteristics into the best form.
The wide range of good and bad acids the coffee contains starts disappearing and converting to the extent that becomes good when it comes to the stage of drinking.
Which coffees are most acidic?
The acidity of the coffee is determined by how it is being roasted. The higher you roast the coffee, the lower the acidity level becomes, and for higher acidity, you are supposed to give the beans a light roast.
How do you measure the acidity of coffee?
The number of hydrogen ions will increase if the coffee or any solution is acidic. This can be measured by the pH analyzer whenever you brew the coffee. When you start the brewing method, the coffee will start diffusing into the water resulting in increased hydrogen ion levels.
What gives coffee its acidity?
The coffee is acidic because of the chlorogenic acids (CGAs) present in it. These acids, unlike other acids, start a rapid degradation while roasting, resulting in less acidic coffee if roasted for so long.
Is there a coffee with low acidity?
The brewed coffee that has low acidity is the one having little to no amount of quinic acid. This coffee has almost a neutral pH level compared to other typical coffees. Most low-acid coffees have a pH scale of 6 which is very close to the water which is neutral having a pH of 7.
FINDING A COFFEE WITH THE RIGHT ACIDITY
As you have knowledge of all the acids and how they taste, you can now recognize the acids mentioned on the product packaging and look for the best coffee according to your taste.
You can also search online to find the best coffees with the right pH values to enjoy coffee that will not go hard for your digestive system.