There are many reasons why people prefer adding milk to coffee, to make it taste sweet and creamy, to get a mild coffee flavor, but most important of them all to make it less acidic. In this article, find out if adding milk to coffee makes it less acidic. If yes, how and what are some other ways of making the coffee less acidic?
Does Milk Make Coffee Less Acidic?
Yes, adding milk to coffee does help balance the pH level of coffee, in turn reducing the acidity of coffee. If you are someone who has GERD or is prone to acid reflux or heartburn after drinking coffee, adding milk to coffee might be a great way to prevent or reduce that problem.
How Does Milk Make Coffee Less Acidic?
Acidity is measured on a pH scale. Milk has a pH of 6.5, while coffee has a pH of 4.7 to 5. A pH of 7 is considered to be neutral. Adding milk to coffee ensures that the pH level rises, in turn making it less acidic.
Coffee enthusiasts also associate the acidity in coffee with its strong flavor and a tingling sensation on the tongue, adding milk balances some of the potent flavors and acids, making it taste more neutral, mild, and balanced.
4 Benefits Of Adding Milk In Coffee
You know now that milk helps reduces the acidity in coffee, but what are some other benefits of adding milk to coffee? Here are 4 benefits of adding milk to coffee:
1. Good Taste & Texture
The first benefit of adding milk to coffee is undeniably the impeccable taste and texture it provides to the coffee. When milk is steamed or heated, the sugar compounds present in milk break down and caramelize which adds natural sweetness to the coffee.
Thanks, to the protein and fat content of dairy, it helps create beautiful microfoam, which can then be presented as latte arts, rendering your cup of coffee not only amazing taste but also eye-catching texture and design.
2. Helps In Avoiding Teeth Staining
Who knew one of the perks of having milk with your coffee could be whiter teeth, but here we are. It is a known fact that black coffee can cause teeth to stain. Adding milk to coffee is said to prevent the residue from building up and reduce tooth stains.
3. More Nutritious
Rich in protein, calcium, vitamins, etc – Milk is often referred to as a superfood for children and adults alike. Adding milk to coffee increases the overall nutrition profile of the beverage making it more satiating.
4. Prevents Oesophageal Cancer
Studies have shown that consuming coffee can result in esophageal cancer. Drinking a very hot cup of coffee increases the chance of thermal burns in sensitive oesophagus tissues. Adding milk to coffee reduces the temperature of the drink and makes it much safer for consumption.
What Does Acid In Coffee Mean?
Out of the many jargons and phrases used to define coffee, ‘acid in coffee’ is one of the most commonly used phrases. Some relate acidity in coffee to heartburn and some to the tingly sensation on the tip of the tongue when you take the first sip of coffee. Let’s understand what acid in coffee means and how it impacts the flavor of the coffee.
The acidity in coffee is often used to describe the quality of coffee. Most coffee enthusiasts associate the acid in coffee with high-quality and high-grown coffee. Some people who suffer from GERD (gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), associate coffee with an unpleasant taste that gives them heartburn or stomach ache.
But, not all acids in coffee are bad. As a matter of fact, the right balance of acidity in coffee gives you the fruitful, strong, and bitter taste and flavor that we all admire. Acidity is measured on the pH scale. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, numbers below 7 are more acidic and numbers above are less acidic. The pH level of coffee ranges from around 4.7 to 5, while lemon juice has a pH of 2, and milk has a pH of 6.5.
Different Types Of Acids In Coffee And Their Impact
Acid is a chemical compound that is found in many food items such as vinegar, lemon, fruits, and of course coffee. Coffee alone has hundreds if not more acidic compounds. But, only a few of them actually affects how the coffee tastes at its final stage. Let’s look into what these acids are and how they impact the flavor of the coffee.
1. Citric Acid – Citric acid is the easiest flavor to identify. Most commonly associated with citrusy fruits like lemon and orange this acid, adds to the tartness in coffee. However, when present in excess concentration it might also produce a sour-tasting coffee.
2. Phosphoric Acid – Phosphoric acid in coffee makes up to 1% of its dry matter. Study shows that phosphoric acid contributes to a significant flavor profile of coffee. It is also sweeter in taste compared to other acids.
3. Malic Acid – Malic acid is often associated with fruits like apples, peaches, and pears. Malic acid is a huge reason why you can sense a fruity flavor in your brew.
4. Acetic Acids – Acetic acid is most commonly found in vinegar. The right balance of acetic acid lends coffee a pleasant sharpness.
5. Quinic Acid – Quinic acid is produced as other acids in coffee degrade. You can find high traces of quinic acid in dark roast coffee or stale coffee. Quinic acid often has a bad effect on your digestive system.
Percentage Contribution Of Different Acid In Roast Coffee
| Acid Type | Roast Coffee |
| Citric Acid | 12.2% |
| Phosphoric Acid | 2.5% |
| Malic Acid | 3.9% |
| Acetic Acid | 11.2% |
| Quinic Acid | 4.7% |
| Chlorogenic Acid | 9% |
What Are The Factors That Lead To Acidity In Coffee?
Talking about the factors that lead to acidity in instant coffee or any other coffee for that matter, there is no one step that produces the acid present in coffee. To understand this fully, we must take a step back and look at the entire seed-to-cup process and which part has the most impact on the acidity levels of coffee.
The Origin
Yes, the origin of where coffee grows matters. Without complicating the topic, here is what you need to know about the effect origin of coffee has on its acidic nature. Coffee grown at higher altitudes will be more acidic than the ones grown at lower altitudes. So, coffee from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Columbia will be more acidic than the ones from Sumatra or Costa Rica.
Coffee grown at high altitude go through a longer growth cycle, in turn, allows the coffee beans to go through a longer maturation process. This ensures that deep notes of flavor are embedded.
While coffee grown in low altitudes has a shorter growth cycle. This ensures, that the coffee has a mild flavor and is less acidic.
Type Of Roast
Studies show that dark roast coffee is less acidic compared to light roast coffee. This happens due to high levels of N-methylpyridinium present in dark roast coffee, this chemical slows down the rate at which our stomach excretes hydrochloric acids.
Grind Size
We talked about the origin and roast, but how does grind size affect the acidity in coffee? Coffee grounds when brewed with hot water, extract the oils and flavor present in the grounds.
A finer grind makes it easy for water to seep through and s the extraction princess is much higher. Therefore less acidic. While coarse grind size means longer brew time which means more acidic in nature.
What Kind Of Coffee Has The Least Acid?
Despite understanding the different acids in instant coffee or brewed coffee, many of us still need a cup of joe in the morning to wake us up. If you are someone who has negative effects like heartburn, stomach ache, acid reflux, etc from the acid in coffee, you must look for coffee with the least acid options.
There are several different types of coffee that are less acidic and can still give you a great taste and that caffeine hit. Here are some coffee options that have less acid compared to your regular coffee –
1. Dark Roasts – As we mentioned, dark roast coffee tends to be less acidic than light roast coffee. The presence of high levels of N-methylpyridinium present in dark roast coffee slows down the rate at which our stomach excretes hydrochloric acids. Hence making it a less acidic option.
2. Espresso – Espresso is considered to be another form of coffee that has less acid when compared to other brews. This is due to the fact that espresso has a shorter brew time, which ensures less extraction of acid from coffee.
3. Cold Brew – Cold Brew owes its fame to being a low-acid coffee that is light on your stomach. A sip of cold brew is as refreshing as iced coffee could get, If you are prone to acid refluxes, switching to cold brew is a great option.
4. Low-acid Coffee Brands – If the above categories of coffee do not fit your requirement, switch to a nice low-acid coffee brand. There are specialty coffee brands that are produced in a way it contains less acid than your usual coffee. Continue reading to find out some of the best low-acid coffee brands.
What Are The Benefits Of Low Acid Coffee?
Quinic Acid is said to have the worst effects on your digestive system and is said to be a major cause of acid refluxes. Low Acid coffee is brewed and produced in a way it has little to no quinic acid in them.
Coffee that contains less acid is likely to be the one that have not been overheated. Low acid coffee has a pH of 6 which is very close to the neutral pH level of 7. Here are some benefits of low acid coffee:
- Better for your stomach – To those prone to acid refluxes or who suffer from GERD, low acid coffee can be gentler in digestion and feel good to your stomach without causing heartburn or stomach ache.
- Safe for teeth – Acidic drink lowers the pH in your mouth which can cause teeth to demineralize. Therefore drinking low-acid coffee is safer for your tooth enamel.
- Workout friendly – Many people face acid refluxes while working out after they have had coffee. Drinking low acid coffee ensures you feel comfortable and enjoy your workout without facing heartburn or stomach irritation.
4 Other Methods You Can Use To Reduce Acidity In Coffee
Here are some hacks on how you can reduce the acidity in coffee:
1. Brew It Cold
Cold Brew is one of the best methods for anyone who wants to enjoy a low-acid coffee. Studies show that coffee that is brewed with cold water has around 67% less acid than the ones that are brewed with hot water.
Brewing coffee with cold water is a much longer process than with hot water, however, a good side to this style of brewing is the slow extraction of oils. Cold water ensures that the natural acids present in the coffee grounds do not get released easily.
As a result, leaving you with a low-acid coffee. If you have not already tried cold brew, you must give it a shot. It has a natural sweetness to it and gives you the perfect amount of caffeine jolt without the added acid. Here is all you need to know about cold brew and how to make one.
2. Use Eggshells
Using eggshells for brewing coffee might seem like an absurd idea, but it is backed by proper reasoning and science. Eggshells are alkaline and so they can help neutralize the natural acidity of coffee. For this to work, here is what you need to do:
Take one or two eggshells and wash them properly. Crush the eggshells and add them to your ground coffee. Brew your coffee per usual. Following this method not only reduces the acidity in coffee but also reduces the bitterness in coffee.
3. Add Salt
Salt is a common ingredient used to reduce the acidity in coffee. All you need to do is add a dash of salt to your coffee grounds and then brew your coffee as you would.
Adding salt is also an excellent way to neutralize the bitter taste of coffee. The end result of adding salt is a refreshing, low-acid coffee with strong flavors intact.
4. Try Baking Soda
Baking Soda has a pH of 9 which means it works excellently in reducing the acid in coffee. Add a pinch of baking soda to your coffee grounds to reduce the acid levels in coffee.
Also Read: Does Instant Coffee Have Less Acid Than Brewed Coffee?
Final Thoughts
If you frequently suffer from acid refluxes or prefer a low-acid coffee, adding milk to your coffee might be a great way to enjoy a coffee that feels lighter on your stomach. There are several other methods that you can use as well to reduce the acidity like adding salt, or brewing it cold; these methods are also worth trying!
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding milk to coffee is a great method to reduce the acidity in coffee. Other methods include brewing your coffee cold using salt, using eggshells, or using a low-acid coffee brand.
Milk adds to the nutritional benefits of coffee. Not only does it give it a great taste, but also reduces the acidity and offers an excellent texture for latte arts.
Resources
1. The Impact Of Milk In Your Coffee –https://www.coffeescience.org/impact-milk-in-coffee-good-bad/
2. Brewing Up A Gentler Java – https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/newsreleases/2010/march/brewing-up-a-gentler-java-dark-roasted-coffee-contains-stomach-friendly-ingredient.html
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