Best Coffee for Low Acid Diets

If coffee upsets your stomach, gives you acid reflux, or leaves you with that uncomfortable burning feeling — you're not alone. Coffee is naturally acidic, and for some people, that acidity causes real discomfort. The good news: you don't have to give up coffee. You just need to choose the right one.

Why Coffee Acidity Matters

Coffee acidity is measured on the pH scale — most brewed coffee falls between 4.5 and 6.0, making it mildly acidic. But the type of acidity matters as much as the level. Specialty coffee has bright, pleasant acidity — the kind that makes Ethiopian coffee taste like blueberry. Commodity coffee often has harsh, unpleasant acidity from poor processing and stale beans.

For people with acid sensitivity, the goal is to find coffees with naturally lower acidity — and to brew them in ways that minimize acid extraction. Our low-acid coffee collection is curated exactly for this.

What Makes Coffee Lower in Acid?

• Origin — coffees grown at lower altitudes and in certain soil types are naturally lower in acid. Indonesian origins like Sumatra are among the lowest-acid coffees in the world. Brazilian and Mexican coffees are also naturally mild.
• Roast level — darker roasts are lower in acid than lighter roasts. The roasting process breaks down chlorogenic acids, reducing the overall acidity of the cup.
• Processing method — natural (dry) processed coffees tend to be lower in acid than washed coffees.
• Brew method — cold brew is significantly lower in acid than hot-brewed coffee — up to 67% less acidic according to some studies. French press and drip are also lower in acid than espresso.

Best Low Acid Coffees at Milestone

Sumatra — our lowest-acid coffee. Heavy body, earthy complexity, dark chocolate notes, and naturally very low acidity due to the origin, altitude, and wet-hulling process. The go-to choice for people with acid sensitivity who don't want to sacrifice flavor. Find it in our single-origin collection and our low-acid collection.

Brazil Santos — nutty, smooth, low acid. Brazilian coffees are naturally mild and low in acidity. Brazil Santos is one of the most stomach-friendly coffees we carry — easy to drink, easy on the stomach. Browse our single-origin lineup to find it.

Mexico Single Origin — mild, chocolatey, smooth. Low acidity and a clean finish. One of the most approachable and stomach-friendly origins in our lineup. Also a great fit in our Smooth & Balanced collection.

Cowboy Blend — dark roast, low acid, bold flavor. For people who want intensity without the acidity. The dark roast reduces acid while maintaining full body and richness. Find it in our coffee blends.

French Roast — our darkest roast and one of our lowest-acid options. For people who want maximum boldness with minimum acidity. Browse our blends to find it.

Low Acid Brewing Tips

• Try cold brew — the most effective way to reduce coffee acidity. Cold brew concentrate is significantly less acidic than hot-brewed coffee and still delivers full flavor.
• Use a coarser grind — finer grinds extract more acid. A coarser grind produces a slightly less acidic cup.
• Don't overbrew — longer brew times extract more acid. Stick to recommended brew times for your method.
• Add a pinch of salt — a small amount of salt neutralizes some of the perceived acidity without affecting flavor.
• Drink with food — coffee on an empty stomach hits harder. A small meal or snack before your first cup reduces discomfort significantly.

Not sure which low-acid coffee to try first? Our sample packs let you compare a few options before committing to a full bag.

Browse our low acid collection — roasted to order, shipped fresh, easy on the stomach.