What are coffee salts / mineral salts, and why use them?

Mineral or "coffee salts" are small-dose mineral blends added to your water or grounds to balance flavor. They reduce bitterness, enhance sweetness, smooth harsh edges, and help improve the taste of dark roast or over-extracted brews without needing sugar or cream.

How do coffee salts reduce bitterness?

Salt (sodium ions) interacts with your taste receptors, dampening perceived bitterness in coffee and allowing other flavor notes—sweet, acidic, or fruity—to become more noticeable.

How much salt should I use per cup?

Start with a small pinch (about 0.1-0.2 grams for an 8-12 oz cup). You can add to grounds before brewing or sprinkle into the brewed cup and adjust to taste.

When is the best time to add coffee salts? Before brewing or after?

Both methods work. Adding to the grounds before brewing helps with even dissolution and extraction; adding after lets you control final taste. Try both and see which you prefer.

What types of coffee benefit most from salt?

Dark roasts, bitter blends, or coffees that tend to over-extract (e.g. bold blends) benefit more. Light roasts or premium specialty coffees may have delicate flavor profiles that could be masked by salt if overused.

Will it make my coffee taste salty?

Not if used sparingly. A properly calculated pinch won’t make the brew taste salty — it works subtly to reduce bitterness. If you detect saltiness, you’ve probably added too much.

Is salted coffee safe / healthy? What about sodium intake?

Yes — for most healthy adults, using a small amount of salt in coffee adds only a tiny fraction of your daily sodium limit. If you have dietary restrictions (e.g. low-sodium diet, high blood pressure), consult a healthcare professional.

Does salt work better in certain brewing methods (espresso, pour-over, cold brew)?

Salt can help across various brewing methods. Cold brew and drip benefit when bitterness is more pronounced; espresso needs very little because it’s concentrated. Start minimal and adjust per method.

Will salt mask good qualities in high-quality coffee?

It might. Very clean, lightly roasted, single-origin coffees have subtle flavor notes that could be overshadowed if too much salt is used. It’s best to use sparingly or skip altogether in these cases.

How does this relate to acidity / acid reflux? Does salt help?

Salt doesn’t neutralize acid chemically, but by reducing bitterness and harsh compounds, coffee feels less aggressive. It may help for those sensitive to acidity. Use gentle beans + small salt amounts.

Why is my coffee too acidic?

Coffee often feels acidic due to chlorogenic acids, caffeine’s effect on the lower esophageal sphincter, and brewing that extracts too many acidic compounds. Water chemistry also matters—soft water exaggerates sourness, while minerals buffer acidity.

How do I make coffee less acidic?

You can reduce coffee acidity by adjusting your brewing water with minerals or alkalinity-boosting salt blends, choosing lower-acid beans, or brewing methods like cold brew and French press. Simple habits—like avoiding coffee on an empty stomach—also help reduce reflux and discomfort.

Does adding salt to coffee reduce acidity?

Yes. A small pinch of salt can reduce bitterness and soften acidity by altering flavor perception. For consistent results, mineral salt blends are more effective at buffering acid and stabilizing pH.

What are the best low acid coffee beans?

Brazil, Sumatra, and Mexico origin beans are naturally lower in acid. Darker roasts have fewer sharp acids, while natural-processed beans brew smoother than washed beans.

Does cold brew make coffee less acidic?

Yes. Cold brew extracts fewer acids due to its low-temperature steep. Research shows cold brew can contain up to 60–70% less acidity than hot coffee, making it gentler on the stomach.

Is low acid coffee better for your stomach?

Low acid coffee can be easier on the stomach by reducing reflux triggers and irritation. It doesn’t eliminate all acidity, but combined with water adjustments and smart brewing, it makes coffee more comfortable for many drinkers.

Early Access

Low Acid Coffee: Make Coffee Less Acidic, Enjoy Comfort

Learn how to make coffee less acidic with minerals, salt blends, and brew tips—so you can enjoy low acid coffee without reflux or heartburn.

Sarah Holloway

8/4/20254 min read

a coffee cup with a smiley face painted on it

Low Acid Coffee: How to Make Coffee Less Acidic Without Heartburn

Searching for low acid coffee? You’re not alone. Coffee is one of life’s great joys, but for many people it can feel too acidic, triggering heartburn or reflux. The good news: you don’t have to give it up—you just need to adjust how you brew it.

As a geochemist who studies how minerals interact with water, I’ve spent years applying that science to coffee. Our small team at Ionic Brews believes coffee should be both delicious and comfortable to drink. This guide shows you how to make your coffee smoother, lower in acid, and easier on the stomach—without losing the flavor you love.

Why Does Coffee Feel Too Acidic? (Science + Symptoms)

Coffee naturally has a pH of about 4.8–5.1, which makes it mildly acidic. That’s not unusual—orange juice, for example, is far more acidic. The difference is in how your body reacts. Coffee’s acids, combined with caffeine and brewing method, can trigger discomfort.

Main factors:

Chlorogenic and organic acids – contribute brightness and flavor, but at high extraction they can feel sharp or sour.
Caffeine – relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow upward and cause reflux.
Brew process – hotter, longer brews extract more acidic compounds, while gentler methods extract less.
Water chemistry – soft or mineral-poor water exaggerates sourness. Harder water with calcium and magnesium can buffer some acids.

👉 According to the Specialty Coffee Association, water composition is one of the strongest predictors of how coffee tastes. In the US, coastal regions often have higher sodium and sulfate, while mountain regions have very soft water. In the UK and Europe, water tends to be harder, which changes extraction dramatically.

How to Make Coffee Less Acidic Naturally (Water & Minerals)

The most reliable fix for coffee that’s too acidic is to adjust your water before brewing. Minerals and alkalinity act as a buffer, raising pH closer to neutral and reducing the perception of sharp acids.

Key minerals for coffee:

Calcium & magnesium – improve extraction, add body and sweetness.
Bicarbonates – buffer excess acid, creating a smoother taste.

At Ionic Brews, we designed our Balanced Blend for any coffee with exactly this in mind. Add it to distilled or filtered water and you’ll create a profile that matches SCA recommendations while being gentler on the stomach.

👉 Fun fact: the SCA recommends around 40 mg/L alkalinity (as CaCO₃) for balanced brewing water. That’s the science behind why blends like these work.

Salt for Coffee: Does It Really Work?

Adding a pinch of salt to coffee isn’t new—it’s been practiced in Turkey, Scandinavia, and the American South for generations.

Why it works:

Sodium reduces bitterness perception.
Even at small amounts (~0.2% concentration), it softens sharp edges in flavor.
It can slightly buffer acidity, though results vary.

While table salt can help in a pinch, precise mineral salt blends do more. They’re designed to balance alkalinity and pH consistently, without masking flavor. If you want to try it yourself, check out our Salt for Coffee collection—crafted for home brewers looking for both science and simplicity.

Best Low Acid Coffee Beans and Roasts

Not all beans brew equally. If you’re looking for low acid coffee beans, consider these factors:

Origin: Lower-altitude Arabicas (Brazil, Sumatra, Mexico) naturally have milder acidity.
Roast level: Darker roasts break down chlorogenic acids, reducing total acidity by as much as 50% compared to light roasts.
Processing method: Natural (dry-processed) beans usually taste less sharp than washed beans.

Love lighter roasts but hate the sourness? That’s where targeted mineral blends shine. Our Light Roast Mineral Blend was designed to align with SCA water standards while balancing the brighter acids in light roast coffee.

Simple Habits to Reduce Acid Reflux from Coffee

Beyond beans and water, your habits matter. Try these small changes to make coffee more comfortable:

Choose the right brew method: Cold brew can be up to 67% less acidic than hot coffee. French press and short espresso shots also extract fewer acids.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach: Food helps buffer acid before coffee reaches your stomach lining.
Add milk or creamer: Fat and protein in dairy or non-dairy creamers help soften acid perception.
Experiment with grind and brew ratio: Over-extraction pulls more acidic compounds. Adjusting grind size can make a difference.

Final Thoughts: Enjoy Coffee Without the Burn

If your coffee feels too acidic, you don’t need to give it up. By adjusting your water, experimenting with beans, and practicing a few simple habits, you can enjoy low acid coffee that’s smooth, balanced, and stomach-friendly.

At Ionic Brews, we’re a small team passionate about the science of coffee and the joy of brewing. Explore our mineral blends and see how a little chemistry can help you love every cup—without the heartburn.