How to Make Alkaline Coffee
If you’re an avid coffee drinker, you know that too many cups can leave you with stomach issues. Subsequently, you might be searching for methods to alkalize your coffee and curb the acid content. Alkaline coffee can offer numerous health benefits, whether it’s a boost your energy levels or a way to keep stomach issues at bay.
Curious about how to make Alkaline Coffee? Keep reading to learn about unique methods of brewing that offer a fresh and flavorful cup while reducing acidity.
Understanding Alkaline Coffee
Alkaline coffee is a type of coffee that’s been gaining popularity. It’s all about making your coffee less acidic and more soothing on your stomach. This is achieved by using specific coffee beans and additives that help balance the pH levels in your body.
How to Alkalize Your Coffee
If you’re wondering how to alkalize coffee, it’s not as complicated as you may think. In fact, there are a number of easy ways to make coffee less acidic:
Method #1: Using Baking Soda
You’ll likely find baking soda already available in your kitchen cabinet. It does wonders to keep your coffee’s pH balanced.
Neutralizing Acidic Compounds
Coffee naturally contains acidic compounds, which can sometimes lead to heartburn or indigestion, especially for those with sensitive stomachs. Baking soda acts as a natural alkaline compound. It neutralizes the acid in your coffee, making it less harsh on your stomach.
Balancing Taste
A high acidity level in your coffee can affect its taste and cause discomfort. By adding just a pinch of baking soda to your coffee grounds before brewing, you can help balance the pH levels. The result is a smoother, less acidic taste.
Baking soda works to balance out some of the compounds responsible for bitterness, resulting in a milder and more palatable cup.
Experimentation
Ultimately, the key to using baking soda in your coffee is experimentation and balance. A little goes a long way, so start with just a pinch of baking soda per cup and adjust to your liking. Overuse of baking soda can alter the flavor too much and create an unpleasant aftertaste.
Method #2: Using Low-Acid Coffee Beans
Making alkaline coffee using low-acid or alkaline coffee beans is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
Ingredients
- Low-acid or coffee beans
- Filtered water (preferably alkaline water)
- Coffee grinder (if using whole beans)
- Coffee maker or brewing device of choice
Instructions
1. Select Quality Low-Acid Coffee Beans
Start by choosing high-quality, low-acid coffee beans, like Lifeboost Coffee or these beans from Java Planet. Look for varieties labeled as “low-acid” or “smooth” to ensure you’re getting the right kind of beans for your alkaline coffee.
2. Grind Your Beans (if using whole beans)
If you have whole low-acid coffee beans, use a coffee grinder to achieve a coarse to medium grind. Avoid grinding the beans too finely, as this can lead to over-extraction and a more acidic taste.
3. Measure Coffee Grounds
For every 8 ounces of water, use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds, depending on your preferred strength.
4. Use Filtered Water
The quality of water can significantly impact the taste of your coffee. For alkaline coffee, use filtered or alkaline water. Using alkaline water for coffee ensures a more balanced pH level in your brew.
5. Brew Your Alkaline Coffee
Brew your coffee using your preferred method. Popular choices include drip brewing, French press, pour-over, or cold brewing. The key is to maintain the low-acid characteristics of the beans during the brewing process.
6. Add Water
To the pitcher of coffee, add an equal amount of alkaline water. You can incorporate any dairy element to further reduce the acidity of your drink, such as cream or milk. Stir the mixture until it is well combined. Then, pour yourself a cup.
Method #3: Using Coffee Tamer
For many coffee lovers, coffee tamer offers a welcomed reprieve from bitterness, allowing them to savor their coffee moments with delight.
How Coffee Tamer Works:
Coffee tamer is made from a special form of calcium carbonate, which acts as an alkaline buffer.
When you add a coffee tamer to your brew, it neutralizes the acidic compounds found naturally in coffee, making it less harsh on your digestive system.
How to Use Coffee Tamer
- Add a Pinch: To use a coffee tamer, all you need is about 1/4 teaspoon for each cup of coffee you brew. You can adjust the amount based on your taste preferences and how much acidity you want to neutralize.
- Mix It In: Add the coffee tamer to your coffee grounds before brewing. Give it a quick stir to ensure it’s well-distributed.
- Brew as Usual: Proceed to brew your coffee as you normally would. Whether you’re using a drip coffee maker, French press, pour-over, or any other method, a coffee tamer plays well with them all.
Method #4: Using Eggshells
If you want to kickstart your day with a morning cup of alkaline coffee, you can use an ingredient you’ve likely never thought of: eggshells. Here’s how you can incorporate them.
Ingredients
- Low-acid coffee beans
- Eggshells
- Water
- Coffee grinder (to get those eggshells finely ground)
Instructions
1. Prepare Your Eggshells
Start by collecting and cleaning eggshells. Afterward, let them dry out completely.
2. Grind Those Shells
Take those dry eggshells and grind them into a fine powder using a coffee grinder. The finer the grind, the better they’ll work to neutralize the acid content of the coffee.
3. Add the Eggshells
Before you brew your coffee, add about half a teaspoon of those finely ground eggshells to the coffee grounds. Give it a good mix.
4. Brew Your Coffee
Brew your low-acid coffee beans as you normally would, whether it’s through your trusty drip coffee maker or a French press.
5. Enjoy the Alkalizing Drink
Pour yourself a cup and enjoy the goodness of alkaline coffee! Thanks to the eggshells’ alkaline pH level, your morning beverage is now gentler on your stomach and supports your digestive health.
The Secret Ingredient: Calcium Carbonate
The active ingredient in eggshells is calcium carbonate, which is known for its ability to neutralize acidity. By adding these finely ground eggshells to your coffee, you’re turning it into an alkalizing drink that brings the acid content down.
Method #5: Cold Brew
If you want to savor a smoother, less acidic cup of your favorite beverage, cold brewing might be your best bet. And yes, there’s a difference between cold brew and iced coffee.
Let’s walk through the steps to cold brew your coffee and make it more alkaline, without any negative effects.
Why It Works
Here’s why cold brew reduces the levels of acidity in your coffee.
1. Long Steeping Time
The secret to cold brew’s low acidity lies in its long steeping time. Unlike hot brewing methods, cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold or room temperature water for an extended period, usually around 12 to 24 hours.
This slow extraction process gently releases the coffee’s flavors while keeping the acidic compounds at bay.
2. Reduced Extraction of Acidic Compounds:
During hot brewing, high temperatures cause a rapid extraction of both desirable and undesirable compounds from the coffee beans.
The acids in the coffee responsible for that bitter and acidic taste are among the compounds extracted quickly, leading to a more pronounced acidity in the final cup.
In contrast, cold brewing involves a slower extraction, focusing more on the coffee’s aromatic and flavor-rich compounds while minimizing the extraction of acids.
3. Lower Oil and Fat Content:
Acids are often found in the oils and fats present in coffee beans. When you cold brew, these oils and fats remain largely intact and don’t contribute to the final brew as they do during hot brewing. This leads to a reduction in the overall acidity of the cold brew.
Check out below how you can cold brew your coffee for a more alkaline taste. For a ridiculously easy way to make alkaline Cold Brew, try the County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Mason Jar.
Cold Brewing Process
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
To get started, you’ll need low-acid coffee beans. Also, grab your favorite coffee grinder, a large jar or pitcher, and filtered water.
Step 2: Grind the Beans
Using your coffee grinder, coarsely grind the low-acid beans. Over-grinding can make your coffee taste too bitter, while the opposite makes it more sour.
Step 3: Mix Coffee and Water
Add the coarsely ground coffee to your jar or pitcher, and pour in the filtered or alkalized water. The ratio is usually one to two tablespoons of coffee to six ounces of water, but you can adjust it to your preferred strength.
Step 4: Cold Brew
Now, cover your jar or pitcher and let it work its magic in the fridge. Cold brewing usually takes around 12 to 24 hours, but you can experiment with the steeping time to find your perfect balance of flavors.
Step 5: Strain and Serve
After the steeping period, it’s time to strain your cold brew. Use a fine-mesh sieve or a coffee filter to separate the coffee grounds from the liquid. What you’re left with is a smooth and great-tasting cup of cold-brewed coffee that’s less acidic and easier on your stomach.
Step 6: Customize and Enjoy
Customize your cold brew to your liking. You can add ice cubes, your preferred milk or milk alternative, and a touch of sweetener if desired.
Just keep in mind that alkalized water and low-acid beans already make a difference in reducing acidity, so you may not need as much sweetener.
Method #6: Adding Almond Milk
Almond milk has gained popularity as a plant-based milk alternative, and it’s also known for its alkalizing properties when added to coffee. All you have to do is add a splash to your cup.
Almonds themselves are considered alkaline-forming foods. When almonds are processed into almond milk, their alkaline nature is retained. This means that when you add almond milk to your coffee, it contributes to balancing the coffee’s acidity.
Benefits of Alkaline Coffee
Alkaline coffee offers several health benefits, including:
Reduced Acidity, Happier Tummy
One of the main perks of alkaline coffee is its lower acidity level compared to regular coffee. This means you’re less likely to experience that all-too-familiar heartburn or acid reflux after enjoying your cup of joe. Alkaline coffee also reduces the potential for gastrointestinal issues.
Smoother and More Palatable
Alkaline coffee has a milder and smoother taste profile. It’s a game-changer for those who find regular coffee too bitter or harsh on the palate. The improved flavor makes it easier to enjoy your morning brew without overloading it with sugar or cream.
Maintains the Body’s pH Balance
Alkaline coffee’s secret lies in its ability to help maintain your body’s pH balance. While it won’t drastically change your pH levels, consuming less acidic foods and beverages, like alkaline coffee, can be a part of a balanced diet that promotes health.
Less Jittery Caffeine Experience
Traditional coffee can sometimes cause jitters or anxiety, especially for those sensitive to caffeine.
The reduced acidity in alkaline coffee may lead to a smoother caffeine release, providing a more relaxed energy boost without the jitters.
Sustainable Energy Source
Alkaline coffee often utilizes specific low-acid coffee beans, which can contain an array of beneficial phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients are natural compounds found in plants that have been linked to various health benefits. They act as antioxidants and offer anti-inflammatory properties, supporting your well-being.
Curbs Illnesses
Alkaline coffee, like regular coffee, contains antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and free radicals. By neutralizing these harmful compounds, antioxidants can support cellular health and potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Incorporating alkaline coffee as part of a healthy lifestyle might offer some advantages, but it should not replace evidence-based preventive measures or medical advice from healthcare professionals. Always consult your doctor for personalized guidance on illness prevention and overall health.
Controls Blood Sugar Levels
High-acid coffee can sometimes lead to rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels, causing energy crashes and cravings for unhealthy snacks. The lower acidity in alkaline coffee can help maintain more stable blood sugar levels, promoting sustained energy without those pesky sugar crashes.
The Final Scoop on Alkaline Coffee
By exploring this unique method of brewing, you can enjoy a fresh and smooth cup of coffee that is gentle on the stomach.
Alkaline coffee can offer various potential health benefits, from stabilizing your blood sugar level to maintaining your body’s pH balance.
With its focus on reducing acid levels, alkaline coffee may become a go-to choice for those seeking a milder taste.