If you’ve ever wondered whether you should be avoiding acidity in your coffee, you’re not alone. We often hear from customers asking for “low acid” options—especially those with sensitive stomachs. And while we’re always happy to help, here’s the truth:

Acidity in coffee is a good thing. It’s what brings a cup to life, delivering the floral, citrus, and fruit flavors that make specialty coffee so exciting.

Let’s clear up some of the confusion around acidity—what it is, how it affects taste and digestion, and which low-acid coffees we recommend if you want something smoother.

What Is Acidity in Coffee?

In the coffee world, acidity doesn’t refer to sourness or harshness, it refers to flavor. Specifically, it means brightness, liveliness, and complexity.

The Specialty Coffee Association defines acidity as the pleasant tartness or crispness that adds dimension to the cup. Think lemon zest, green apple, or a splash of lime. Without it, coffee can taste flat or dull.

You’ll find higher acidity in:

• Light roasts
• Coffees from East Africa (like Kenya or Ethiopia)
• Coffees grown at high elevations

Acidity vs. pH: Is Coffee Bad for Digestion?

On the pH scale, coffee generally lands between 4.5 and 5, which is more acidic than water, but less so than orange juice, soda, or wine.

If you’re sensitive to acidity due to acid reflux or digestion issues, that doesn’t mean you need to quit coffee. Instead, look for naturally low-acid beans or adjust your brew method to make a gentler cup (more on that below!).

 

What Does “Low Acid” Coffee Actually Mean?

“Low acid” has become a popular selling point, often marketed as “stomach friendly.” Brands even measure pH and promote their extra-long roast process as easier on digestion.

But here’s the tradeoff: that long roast often results in a bland or baked flavor. While it may be gentler on your stomach, it comes at the cost of complexity and brightness.

The specialty coffee world is shifting away from the word “acidity” and toward “brightness.” As lighter roasts grow in popularity, more coffee drinkers are getting familiar with the flavor benefits of acidity, even if they didn’t realize it at first!

Low Acid Coffee Recommendations from Jim’s

While we celebrate brightness, we also know that not every coffee drinker, or every stomach, loves it. That’s why we offer several low-acid and medium/low-acid coffees that are rich, smooth, and easier to enjoy.

☕ Very Low Acid Coffees

Sumatra French Roast – Deep, earthy, and full-bodied with minimal acidity

WonderBrew – Our ultimate smooth blend; great for hot coffee or cold brew

Vienna Roast – Dark, balanced, and mellow

☕ Low Acid Coffees

Sweet Love Blend – Smooth, slightly sweet, with soft brightness

French Roast – Smoky and dark, but not bitter

Blend X – Full-bodied and complex with mellow edges

Italian Roast – Bold, traditional dark roast with low bite

Espresso Roast Decaf – Full flavor, low acid, no caffeine

French Roast Decaf – Comforting and smooth, perfect after dinner

Pro Tip: Cold Brew for a Gentler Cup

Looking for the lowest acid option possible? Try switching to cold brew.

Cold brewing reduces acidity by up to 70% compared to hot brewing. Since the coffee grounds steep slowly in cold water (instead of being heated), you get a smoother, rounder flavor that’s easy on digestion.

➡️ Check out our cold brew recipe

➡️ Shop our cold brew cans

You can even drink cold brew hot by adding boiling water to the concentrate!

Acidity gives coffee its spark—it's what separates a lively, exciting cup from a flat one. But if your body needs something gentler, there’s no shortage of options.

Whether you love citrusy brightness or deep, earthy richness, you’ll find your perfect match at Jim’s Organic Coffee.