We’re rating the best Starbucks low acid coffee, specially crafted with roasted Arabica beans to help those looking for a smooth, delicious coffee but with less of that sharp edge. It’s perfect for those mornings when you need a pick-me-up but don’t want to deal with an upset stomach.
Those of you with stomach issues (e.g., GERD) probably know that your only chance to enjoy the taste of coffee is to drink the low acid varieties, such as the low acid coffee from Starbucks.
This coffee is specially designed to have a low acidity level so that those of us with acid reflux and other stomach sensitivities can drink it without any problems. The company has been offering this coffee for many years now, and it continues to be one of their most popular items.
Let’s take a closer look at the best low acid coffee from Starbucks.
Table of Contents
- Best Low Acid Coffee from Starbucks – Summary
- What You Should Know about Low Acid Coffee
- Best Starbucks Low Acid Coffee – Buying Guide
- Best Low-Acid Coffee from Starbucks to Buy – Reviews
- FAQ
- Closing Thoughts
Best Low Acid Coffee from Starbucks (Summary)
What You Should Know about Low Acid Coffee
Low acid coffee is coffee that has been specifically designed to have a low acidity level. This means that it is less likely to cause stomach problems, especially those suffering from GERD or a predisposition towards ulcers.
Starbucks offers a variety of low acid coffees, including Pike Place Roast, Veranda Blend, and Decaf House Blend.
When you crunch the numbers, buying the beans is cheaper than going to Starbucks. So if you’re on a tight budget, buy the Starbucks beans instead.
If you’re looking for a low acid coffee that you can take on the go, Starbucks also offers their Pike Place Roast in a K-Cup pod. This means that you can enjoy a fresh cup of low-acid coffee in minutes without leaving your home.
So if you’re looking for a high-quality low-acid coffee, Starbucks is the place to go. With various drinks to choose from and K-Cup pods for on-the-go convenience, Starbucks has everything you need to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee without having to worry about the adverse effects.
Benefits of Starbucks Low Acid Coffee
Drinking low-acid coffee has several health-related benefits, and we will be covering each of them briefly:
Prevents Stomach Issues
This is arguably the most obvious reason anyone should switch to low-acid coffee since regular coffee can cause plenty of stomach issues like heartburn, GERD, and indigestion.
Studies have shown that low-acid coffee is much easier on the stomach and doesn’t lead to any of the problems mentioned above, even in people with sensitive stomachs.
Protects Your Teeth
The high acidity levels of regular coffee can damage your teeth over time by corroding the layer of enamel off of your teeth (it doesn’t regenerate).
On the other hand, low-acid coffee doesn’t have the same erosive effect on your teeth, making you less likely to suffer dental problems like tooth decay and cavities.
This benefit applies to anyone who regularly drinks coffee, not just those with stomach issues, so low-acid coffee is the way to go if your dentist says your enamel looks a bit thinner.
Best Starbucks Low Acid Coffee (Buying Guide)
All these beans were grown, treated, and brewed in particular ways to decrease the coffee acidity level as much as possible. And that’s what we are discussing below:
Growing Environment
How Starbucks’ coffee beans are grown can play a big role in how low the acidity level of the coffee is.
For example, elevation plays the biggest role in determining how acidic the coffee beans will be since high altitudes mean that the plants will grow in a low-oxygen environment.
So, go to Starbucks’ website, see the origin of the beans used to make your favorite beverages, and stick to ones grown in areas like Brazil or Indonesia.
That also happens to be one of the secrets behind the Starbucks Sumatra dark roast ground coffee – one of the company’s specialties.
Coffee Bean Variety
The most common coffee beans harvested worldwide are the Robusta and the Arabica varieties. When looking for a low-acid option, always stick to Arabica coffee.
It has a fraction of the Robusta’s acidity, but it also only has about half the amount of caffeine.
Type of Coffee Beans
The link between coffee acidity and upset stomachs was made long ago, which lead to the development of specialized low-acidity coffee beans.
These have such low levels of acid that the resulting coffee will be safe for anyone with GERD, heartburn, or any other stomach-related issues, regardless of how you roast or brew them.
Roasting Method
If you take a closer look at Starbucks ‘ menu (or ask their baristas), you’ll notice that almost all of their low-acid coffees are the dark roast kind – that’s not a coincidence.
You see, dark roasts will be less acidic than medium and light roasts, although this also means that the coffee’s taste will be more intense and less sweet. As such, the roasting method matters.
Brewing Method
The brewing method is also important for low-acid coffee, and there are a few ways in which you can make your regular cup less acidic.
For example, any brewing method that uses coarse grinds (e.g., French press) will result in acidic coffee.
Moreover, brewing methods that keep the coffee grounds in contact with hot boiling water for very little time will also result in acidic (possibly under-extracted) coffee.
The least acidic brewing method is cold brew, where coffee grounds are steeped into the water for up to 24 hours.
Serving Method
Starbucks has always been the center of attention (in a bad way) because they enhance all of their coffees with tons of cream, milk, sprinkles, sugar, syrup, and other additives.
However, this can also help reduce the acidity of your coffee, as long as it’s done correctly.
For example, adding milk or cream is a well-known method of reducing your coffee’s acidity (almond milk is a common favorite). On the other hand, sugar and sugar-based syrups will increase your coffee’s acidity (and caloric value).
Decaf
The same methods used to strip coffee beans of their innate acidity are also used to eliminate some of the caffeine inside them.
So, next time you go to Starbucks and want to order some low-acid coffee but have no idea what to order, your safest bet is with decaf.
Best Low-Acid Coffee from Starbucks to Buy (Reviews)
As you probably know, Starbucks also sells beans and grounds, and we’ll be looking at some of the best low-acid coffee beans and grounds that you can buy from them.
The top-selling low-acid coffees on Starbucks’ menu are the following:
1. Starbucks Pike Place Medium Roast Ground Coffee
Not all Starbucks low acid coffees are created equally, and some are a lot more popular than others. Pike Place is the most popular low-acid coffee on the Starbucks menu in terms of sheer sales numbers.
This blend is roasted medium to ensure a balanced flavor with subtle notes of cocoa and toasted nuts. And it has low acidity levels to make it easy on your stomach.
The Starbucks Pike Place beans are 100% Arabica harvested from all over Latin America – yes, they’re not single-source beans). But they were all closely inspected to ensure they meet Starbucks’ high standards.
The coffee comes in all kinds of packaging options, from a single 18 oz. bag suited for those that have never tried it before, to packs of 6 x 18 oz. bags that are perfect for those who are already familiar and want to get it in bulk.
If you’re looking for a great low-acid coffee widely available, Pike Place should be your go-to choice.
Pros:
- Subtle notes of cocoa and toasted nuts
- Low acidity levels
- Widely available
- Balanced flavor
Cons:
- It can get expensive when not bought in bulk
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a coffee that’s both low in acidity and well-balanced, then go ahead and try the Pike Place blend.
2. Starbucks Sumatra Dark Roast Ground Coffee
Our next entry is Sumatra Dark Roast Ground Coffee, which is more intense than the Pike Place blend.
It’s made with Indonesian beans that are roasted dark to bring out the rich, earthy flavors that make Sumatran coffee so unique. It’s perfect for those who love a strong cup of coffee without worrying about the high acidity levels.
Unlike Pike Place, Sumatra Dark Roast is single-sourced, meaning that all beans come from just one farm in Indonesia. This way, you know that the coffee taste remains consistent from one bag to another.
Generally speaking, beans harvested in the Asia-Pacific region are known for their unique big and bold flavors that cannot be found in any other type of coffee.
The beans are 100% Arabica and ethically sourced, so you can rest assured that the farmers that grew them were fairly compensated for their work.
As for the grind, you can choose from whole beans, ground, or pods – each option comes in a variety of packaging options.
If you want a low acid coffee with a strong flavor, Sumatra Dark Roast is what you are looking for.
Pros:
- Rich, earthy flavors
- Single-source beans
- Consistent taste
- Ethically sourced
Cons:
- The intense flavor might not be for everyone
Bottom Line
Low in acidity doesn’t have to mean low in flavor, and the Sumatra Dark Roast is the best example.
3. Starbucks Dark Espresso Roast Whole Bean Coffee
The third entry is yet another dark roast from Starbucks, but it’s a whole bean coffee this time.
Starbucks Espresso is made with 100% Arabica beans that have been roasted dark to bring out the intense flavor characteristic of this roast.
Not only that, but the dark roast also plays a big role in greatly reducing the coffee’s acidity, so you can gain the best of both worlds: intense flavor and zero stomach issues.
What’s interesting about Starbucks Dark Espresso is that, as far as the origin of the beans is concerned, it combines the previous two coffees since the beans come from both Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.
This, combined with the dark roast, gives this blend the signature deep and dark flavor with hints of molasses and caramelized sugar.
Besides, it comes in whole bean form, which means that you’re free to use your coffee grinder to get the perfect grind for your preferred brewing method.
Pros:
- Rich, earthy flavors
- Single-source beans
- Consistent taste
- Ethically sourced
Cons:
- You’ll need a coffee grinder
Bottom Line
The freshest coffee is the one that you grind yourself, and if you couple that with a dark roast, you have the recipe for success.
4. Starbucks Flavored Ground Coffee Variety Pack
This next entry is pretty interesting since it’s not just one blend of low-acid coffee; it’s an entire variety pack with 3 different kinds of flavored low-acid coffee, each with its own unique and natural flavor:
- Vanilla – rich taste
- Caramel – smooth and buttery
- Hazelnut – nutty and toasty
This means that you’ll be able to try out a bunch of different low acid blends to see which one suits your taste the best.
All blends are made with 100% Arabica beans, and they’ve been roasted to perfection so that you can enjoy their unique flavors without worrying about any stomach issues.
The best part about the Starbucks Flavored Ground Coffee Variety Pack is that you no longer have to add any syrups to your brew. Considering that most are sugar-based (and therefore acidic), that’s one less thing to worry about.
Unfortunately, this variety pack is limited to only one packaging option: a pack of 3 coffee bags of 11 oz. each.
However, given that the purpose of a variety pack is for you to taste each flavor, 11 oz. is more than enough for you to tell which one is your favorite.
Pros:
- It contains 3 different flavored coffee options
- All blends are made with 100% Arabica beans
- Great for those with versatile taste buds
- Naturally flavored
Cons:
- Many people are not impressed by the hazelnut blend
Bottom Line
If you like your coffee to taste more than just like regular coffee but hate adding syrups and artificial flavorings, give these blends a try.
5. Starbucks Sumatra Dark Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods for Keurig
Technically speaking, we’ve already talked about this particular blend. But we thought that adding a K-Cup option to our list was mandatory, so here it is.
This blend is made with 100% Arabica beans roasted dark to perfection like the whole bean coffee.
Sumatra Dark Roast has a rich, earthy flavor that’s perfect for those who want a strong cup of coffee without worrying about any acidity issues. It’s one of the best low-acid coffees for K cups.
What’s great about K cups is that they are extremely convenient and easy to use, and they work with all current Keurig coffee machines.
The only downside is that the price per cup is a bit higher than with other brewing methods, much like with other K cups.
However, considering the quality of coffee you’re getting, we’d say it’s worth it.
Pros:
- Single-source beans from Asia-Pacific
- Unique rich and earthy flavors
- Ethically sourced
- Low acidity
Cons:
- Higher price tag than the regular blend
Bottom Line
Bring the health benefits of low acid coffee to your Keurig coffee maker with the help of these amazing dark roast K-cups.
Low Acid Coffee from Starbucks (FAQ)
Discover more information about the low acid coffee sold by Starbucks:
Is all of Starbucks’ coffee low acid?
No, not all Starbucks’ coffee is low acid, but they have a few low-acid options that are safe for people with stomach issues.
Which Starbucks coffee is least acidic?
Starbucks’ best low acid coffee would be their cold brew coffee, which is less acidic than their regular coffees, especially if it’s made with dark roast coffee grounds.
What can I drink at Starbucks if I have acid reflux?
Specialty drinks are your best bet if you suffer from acid reflux That’s because they don’t usually contain coffee but coffee flavoring – one great example being the Starbucks Refreshers.
Is Starbucks coffee highly acidic?
The amount of acid in low acid coffee from Starbucks depends on the type of coffee and brewing method. Still, generally speaking, it’s significantly less acidic than regular coffee, especially since the coffee is enhanced with many dairy products.
What is the pH of Starbucks coffee?
If you’re wondering what’s the pH of some of the most popular Starbucks beverages, here are some interesting results:
- Black Coffee – 5.70 pH
- Starbucks Regular – 4.85 pH
- Enamel dissolves below – 5.50 pH
- Starbucks Caramel Latte – 6.36 pH
- Starbucks White Mocha with Skim Milk – 6.26 pH
- Starbucks White Mocha with Whole Milk – 6.30 pH
Closing Thoughts
Our article has come to an end, but we hope that we managed to teach you a thing or two about low-acid coffee and how next time you visit your local Starbucks, you’ll know what to order.
If you’re still curious about Starbucks low acid coffee, we suggest visiting their official website and inspecting all available information.
I like your presentation of acidic coffees.
Hi Walton,
I have to use a low acid coffee now.
Which one(s) do you suggest including your decaf coffee ?
Thanks for your help,
Diane