7 Low Acid Coffee Alternative Drinks You Should Try

What are the best low acid coffee alternative drinks you should try? 

I get coffee is acidic (even Cold Brew and decaf coffee contain some acidity), so it’s wise to give up on it if you’re having stomach issues including acid reflux. I have compiled a guide on alternative brews that are worth trying out. 

Let’s get started. 

7 low acid coffee alternative drinks 

Let’s go over the alternative drinks one by one. 

1. Chicory Root Coffee

What’s Chicory root coffee? 

If you thought that’s one of those fancy new coffee types that you’ll find on hipster coffee shop menus you’re wrong. 

Did you know that ancient Egyptians used to drink Chicory coffee? So, it’s been around for over 3,000 years. 

Its scientific name is Cichorium intybus made from chicory root and (for some reason) is considered the New Orleans staple. 

But what’s really chicory? A plant, flower, or similar to an eggplant? 

It’s a flowering plant with a tough hairy stem, purple flowers, and leaves and it grows in Africa, Europe, and North America. 

In the 19th century, it became popular, especially in France due to the coffee shortage which they use as an alternative to coffee. 

What does chicory coffee taste like? 

It tastes like coffee pretty much and that’s why it’s a great alternative to it. Plus, it has a number of health benefits such as: 

• Full of nutrients (fiber, fat, Vitamin C, potassium)
• It helps with digestion 
• It helps with lowering blood sugar
• It might decrease inflammation 
• It is caffeine-free (you’ll be able to sleep at night no matter how many cups you have)

Any downsides? 

Because it’s a flowering plant, it’s not suitable for everyone. Make sure that you’re not allergic to it. If so, having chicory coffee might cause an allergic reaction. 

2. Matcha Tea 

Matcha tea is becoming more and more popular for a good reason… 

It’s a cousin of green tea and many have switched to Matcha coffee over the years since it’s low in caffeine (38-176mg). It can be traced back to the 8th century when was used in China for religious ceremonies. 

Japan is the number 1 producer of Matcha tea while the biggest importers are: 

• China
• USA
• India
• Sri Lanka

Matcha tea is known for its antioxidant properties while other health benefits are:

• Good for the liver
• Boost brain function
• Better heart health
• Good for weight loss

What does it taste like? 

Similar to green tea, it’s nutty, has mellow grassy notes, and is a slight touch of bitterness which is called umami.

And how to prepare Matcha Tea? 

Here are the steps for making Matcha tea: 

• Sift 1-2 tsp of matcha tea in a little bowl 
• Add hot water and whisk the mix for a couple of minutes
• When it has a frothy layer on top it means that your tea is ready

Of course, there are other low-acid types of tea.

3. Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate tea is a great option to kickstart your day.

It’s pretty popular in Latin America and similar to black tea it contains caffeine. In order to make Yerba Mate tea you need to use dried leaves from the yerba mate plant. 

Yerba Mate tea is also known for its health benefits which among others include: 

• It reduces cholesterol
• Helps with weight loss
• It regulates heart rate 
• Good for overall good health

What does it taste like? 

It’s a strong drink with a slightly earthy taste with the wonderful aroma of eucalyptus. 

If you really want to avoid caffeinated drinks, it’s wise to go for 1 of the other options discussed in this article as Yerba Mate tea contains caffeine. 

4. Herbal tea

Herbal tea is great as it soothes your body and makes you relax, ideal to have it after dinner to help you go to sleep easily.

My favourite herbal tea is chamomile as it’s dead easy to find and it’s pretty affordable. Plus, it always does the trick when I want to relax after a long day. Other great ones are peppermint, lemongrass, hibiscus, ginger, and rooibos.

Unlike coffee or other teas, herbal tea doesn’t stain your teeth, meaning you can enjoy a cup of it and still have a shiny smile.

Herbal tea has a bunch of health benefits. The major ones are: 

• Rejuvenates your body
• Helps with digestion
• Prevents chronic diseases including Alzheimer’s 
• Slows down aging
• Helps with soar throat
• Makes the brain function better
• Helps to go to sleep easier
• Helps with blood pressure

What does herbal tea taste like? 

It’s light and refreshing, it has an earthy flavour and subtle aroma that really soothes your body.

5. Chai tea

This is another great option that really boosts your energy levels.

It’s pretty similar to herbal tea and more specifically chamomile. It’s a black tea type meaning that it contains caffeine (around 25mg per cup), although it’s less than coffee. 

Here are the health benefits of Chai tea you should be aware of: 

• Full of antioxidants
• Helps with heart rate
• Helps with digestion
• A proper energy booster
• Conducive to your skin health
• Good for inflammations
• Good for your teeth

What does Chai tea taste like? 

Its taste is pretty similar to gingerbread and pumpkin spice with distinct notes of vanilla. In general, you can describe it as subtly sweet and floral. 

6. Golden Milk

Golden Milk also known as ‘turmeric latte’ is a great hot beverage that is becoming more and more popular and has been a part of Indian culture for centuries.

Its bright colour makes it a distinct drink and if you’re looking for low-acidity hot brews this is a must. 

Let’s have a look at its health benefits: 

• Rich in antioxidants
• Helps reduce inflammation
• Improves memory
• Improves your mood
• Helps with heart rate and heart diseases
• Regulates blood sugar
• Antibacterial and antifungal properties

There are different ways of making Golden Milk, but probably the easiest 1 is: 

The ingredients: 

• Almond, oat, cow (full fat), or coconut milk
• Cinnamon (great for reducing acidity in drinks)
• Ground turmeric
• Ground ginger
• Black pepper (a pinch will be enough)
• Honey or maple syrup
• Coconut oil

To make Golden Milk put the turmeric in a pot, pour the hot milk over it add the ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, and coconut oil and sweeten it with honey or maple syrup. Give it a whisk for a couple of minutes, let it sit for 30 seconds and you’re good to go. The milk in this drink makes it less acidic.

What does it taste like? 

It tastes similar to Chai tea, it’s sweet and aromatic, ideal for bedtime to soothe your body and help you go to sleep in no time. 

7. Kombucha

Kombucha is a great low-acidity alternative to coffee. 

It’s a fermented black tea and although it’s become trendy recently it’s been around for about 2,000 years. 

Yeast, sugar, and black tea are its 3 main ingredients and it’s worth mentioning that contains a small amount of alcohol. 

Let’s take a look at Kombucha’s health benefits: 

• Better immune system
• Helps with weight loss
• Regulates blood pressure
• Prevents heart diseases

What does it taste like? 

It’s fizzy, subtly sweet but at the same time slightly bitter like black tea. 

Let’s wrap it up

You made it to the end of this article about low-acid coffee alternatives. Even decaf coffee isn’t good for Acid Reflux. I hope it helped you learn more about hot beverages that you can substitute coffee with, especially if you’re having stomach issues. Another great option of low-acid alternatives is to check Starbucks drinks. Stay tuned, I’m going to publish more researched articles on acidity, coffee, and delicious brews.