While French press coffee does produce a less acidic cup than certain methods, it does have more acidity than others. The king in low acidity is cold brew, nothing tops it. But, a French press is more acidic than drip, pour over, espresso or using an AeroPress. Also, it shares about the same acidity as a percolator.
This isn’t to say you can’t make a cup of French press coffee that has a low acid content. But, it means you will have to change up your brewing process. Things like roast type, grind size, water temperature and brewing time will all come into play. You’ll have to tinker with the chemistry and science of it until you get it just right.
Why Is Acidity an Issue in Coffee?
When coffee is “acidic,” it leaves a slightly sour taste in the mouth with a sensation in the stomach that can sometimes end in heartburn. More and more people are dealing with sensitive stomachs and other digestive issues. Acidic beverages and foods irritate these problems. So, it’s imperative to consume more things that are alkaline.
Coffee is notoriously acidic. Therefore people are opting for roasts, grind types and brewing methods that reduce the amount of acidity.
Why Is French Press Coffee More Acidic?
French press coffee is more acidic because the mesh filter doesn’t take out fine sediment, high cholesterol oils or the terpenes related to increased acidity. All of this floats in a cup which is what gives it a thicker taste and texture.
What Is the Coffee with the Lowest Acidity?
Cold brew is king in the realm of coffee with the lowest amount of acidity. This is because there is no hot water used at any point in the brewing process, which is what activates a bean’s acids. Even though it takes the longest to make, the resulting cup is smooth and balanced with little to no problems with stomach and digestion.
What Other Brewing Methods Have Low Acidity?
Any brewing method that includes a filter will have low acidity. Pour over, drip machine and AeroPress are the top three in this regard. However, believe it or not, espresso has less acidity than all three of these even though there’s no filter used.
Espresso & Iced Pour Over Coffee Styles of Brewing
This is because of the brief contact with water using a very dark roast. Combined, these produce the second lowest form of acidic coffee next to a cold brew. However, an excellent runner up is the Japanese style of pour over, also called an iced pour over.
It involves dividing the amount of water you boil with ice. You put a certain amount of ice in the pour over carafe that catches the brew. Once you pour hot water over the grounds, it doesn’t get a chance to develop the acidity in full, which makes it very much akin to a cold brew.
Can You Make Cold Brew with a French Press?
Yes, you can use a French press to make a nice and lowly acidic cup of cold brew. You simply use one cup grounds per four cups of water. Place the measured grounds into the carafe. Then, pour room temperature or cold water over the grounds, put the top on to the water line and store it in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours.
How Do You Make French Press Coffee Less Acidic?
There are a couple of ways you can make regular French press coffee less acidic. The first is to brew as you normally would. But, then use a piece of muslin cloth over a small, fine strainer (like one that sits in a drip machine but fits into your cup). Pour the brew over this makeshift filter to remove much of the harsher elements.
Another way is to insert a drip coffee filter between the layers of the mesh filter. But, you will have to cut it to size and ensure it fits prior to using it. Whatever way you devise, the idea is to include a filter before pouring the coffee into your cup.
Can Roast Type, Grind Size and Water Temperature Influence a Coffee’s Acidity?
Aside from brewing method, the roast type, grind size and water temperature can all influence how acidic a coffee tastes. For instance, the hotter the water you use, the more acidic your coffee will be. So, you can use a thermometer to see how hot your temperature is for your current technique and lower it.
How Can You Adjust Water Temperature to Make Coffee Less Acidic?
Many people use temperatures in excess of 205°F. This will produce a bitter and acidic cup that has the potential to create heartburn. Plus, if you have a delicate bean, using hot water may scald the beans, which guarantees acidity. Try going down to at most 171°F and see how your digestion reacts.
If you have a drip machine, espresso machine or percolator, you will not be able to control the temperature unless the device comes with a way to adjust it. But, you very much can control the conditions with a pour over or AeroPress.
How Does the Roast Type of the Coffee Affect Its Acidity?
As a general rule of thumb, lighter roasts are more acidic than darker ones. This is because longer roasting times remove all the acidity but it also takes away most of the floral and fruity notes of the bean. This is why people are going for the cold brew, you can have any style of roast and enjoy all its flavors without the acidity.
How Does a Coffee’s Grind Size Affect Its Acidity?
In regards to the grind size, coarser grinds are going to be less acidic than finer ones. But this will very much rely on the type of roast. Therefore lighter roasts with a finer grind will compose of a much higher acid content than those that are darker and coarser.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.