What Are the Acidic Levels of Hot Brewed Coffee and Cold Brew Coffee
Key Takeaways:
If coffee ever tastes a little too sharp, leaves your stomach unsettled, or makes you reach for water afterward, acidity is usually the reason.
At Javvy, we know how important it is to find a cup of coffee that works with your body instead of against it. Let’s break down what coffee acidity actually means, why hot brew and cold brew feel so different, and how cold brew concentrates make it easier to enjoy low-acid coffee.
What Is Coffee Acidity?
Coffee acidity refers to the natural organic acids found in coffee beans that influence how bright, sharp, or tangy a cup tastes. These acids add complexity and character, but they can also be responsible for bitterness or digestive discomfort.
Common acids in coffee include:
One important distinction matters here. pH measures acidity chemically, but total acid concentration determines how acidic coffee feels. That total acid load plays a much bigger role in stomach sensitivity and mouthfeel than pH alone.
This is where the brewing method becomes the difference maker.
How Acidic Is Hot Brewed Coffee?
Hot-brewed coffee extracts quickly and aggressively, creating a bold aroma and strong flavor, while also pulling more acids into the cup.
Hot water rapidly extracts compounds from coffee grounds, including chlorogenic acids and volatile aromatics. This fast extraction leads to higher perceived acidity and a brighter overall profile.
Hot brewed coffee also typically contains around 80 to 120 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup, partly because heat pulls caffeine efficiently during brewing.
Flavor Profile and Acidity Impact
Hot brewed coffee often tastes lively and aromatic, with pronounced brightness and noticeable bitterness. For many people, that’s the appeal. For others, it’s what causes discomfort.
Those with sensitive stomachs or acid reflux often find hot coffee more difficult to tolerate due to its higher total acid concentration and increased astringency.
How Acidic Is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew changes the chemistry entirely.
Cold Brewing Process and Reduced Acidity
Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours. This slower extraction pulls fewer acidic and bitter compounds from the beans.
As a result, cold brew can have up to 66 percent less total acidity than hot brewed coffee. Even when pH levels are similar, cold brew feels smoother and gentler because fewer irritants make it into the final drink.
Taste and Smoothness Benefits
Cold brew’s slow extraction brings out natural sweetness and body instead of sharpness. The flavor tends to be smooth, rounded, and low in bitterness, with very little astringency.
Most cold brew is brewed as a concentrate, meaning it’s two to three times stronger than regular coffee and diluted before drinking. That concentrate format is what makes cold brew especially versatile.
Common flavor descriptors include:
How Does Hot Brew and Cold Brew Acidity Compare?
The biggest difference between hot brew and cold brew is the acidity levels of your final cup.
Hot brewing extracts more total acids, which creates a brighter flavor but also more bite. Cold brewing extracts fewer acids, which creates a smoother experience that’s easier on digestion.
If you’re choosing based on comfort, cold brew usually wins. If you’re choosing based on brightness and aroma, hot brew may still have its place.
How Does Roast Impact Acidity?
Roast level plays a supporting role in acidity for both brewing methods.
For the most stomach-friendly cup, dark roast combined with cold brew is often the gentlest option.
Choosing a Cold Brew Concentrate for Hot and Iced Drinks
Cold brew concentrate is where flexibility really shines.
A quality cold brew concentrate can be diluted with cold water or milk for iced drinks, or mixed with hot water or warmed milk for a low-acid hot coffee. Heating cold brew doesn’t suddenly make it acidic, it just softens some of the cold brew aromatics.
That means you get a gentler hot cup without the sharpness that comes from hot extraction.
What To Look For in a Coffee Concentrate
When choosing a cold brew concentrate, look for:
Functional additions like protein, collagen, or MCTs can support wellness routines, but the foundation should always be clean coffee first.
The Javvy Way
At Javvy, we build our cold brew concentrates to be smooth, sugar-free, and easy to use any way you drink coffee. Made from 100 percent Arabica beans and designed for hot or iced prep, our concentrates let you enjoy low-acid coffee without sacrificing flavor or convenience.
Whether you want a gentle hot cup in the morning or a refreshing iced drink in the afternoon, the acidity stays low and the experience stays consistent.
FAQs
Is cold brew coffee always less acidic than hot brewed coffee?
Cold brew generally has lower total acid concentration, making it smoother and easier on sensitive stomachs, even if pH levels are similar.
Does roast level affect acidity?
Yes. Dark roasts are typically less acidic than light roasts because roasting breaks down acids.
Can cold brew concentrate be used for hot coffee?
Absolutely. Mixing cold brew concentrate with hot water or milk creates a low-acid hot coffee.
Why does cold brew feel gentler on digestion?
Lower total acidity and fewer bitter compounds make cold brew less irritating.
Does coffee acidity affect teeth?
Higher acidity can weaken enamel and increase staining. Cold brew’s lower acidity is generally less harsh.
Sources:
Acids in brewed coffees: Chemical composition and sensory threshold | PMC