Best Low-Acid Coffee at Starbucks (2024)

It is still possible to drink the coffee you love thanks to low-acid coffee.

Coffee contains naturally occurring acids that can lead to heartburn or acid reflux, or exacerbate previously existing symptoms for those with sensitive stomachs.

What makes a low-acid coffee? The blend, the grind, and the brew. 

When coffee beans are roasted, the time and temperature that determine the roast (light, medium, dark) also contribute to the levels of acid in the coffee. That means a darker roast has less acid and opting for medium-dark and dark roasts will be gentler on your system. 

Avoid the light roasts as they tend to have a higher acidic content. Learn more about how to prevent heartburn from regular coffee.

A finer grind of coffee helps limit the acid production when brewed because the exposed surface area is greater than the volume and more acid is extracted as the coffee brews.

While you can’t control the grind of brewed cups in-stores, espresso is often made with finer grounds so you can opt for the dark-roast espresso for a lower acid (and lower caffeine if you’re having a single-shot per serving) coffee drink. 

Finally, the way your coffee is brewed matters! As mentioned, a finer grind helps with lowering the acid, but cold brew coffee is actually much lower in acid than regular hot coffee thanks to its steeping process. It’s made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water over a long period of time (typically at least 24 hours). While the cold brew is strong in flavor, and often caffeine, per serving, the acid is low. 

If you find that you’re still suffering even when drinking low-acid coffee, speak to your doctor. There may be other changes to your diet or routine that can help with your acid reflux, GERD, or heartburn symptoms.

And as always, speak with your doctor before making any big changes in your diet or lifestyle, especially if you take medications or have any health conditions.

Some of the low-acid coffee I’m about to recommend is sold at Starbucks and online but not available to purchase as a hot drink in-store, and others are available on the menu and as a take-home product. 

You can also find most of these online or at your local grocery store.

Either way, at least coffee lovers know that you have options when it comes to finding your favorite beverage with a low acidity level.

This bold intense flavor is also made with 100% Arabica coffee beans for a lower-acid coffee drink from Starbucks. You can order it in-store hot or iced, and purchase whole or ground beans in-store or online.

A 16-ounce serving has 260 mg of caffeine.

Any of the darker roasts served at Starbucks (including this Starbucks Sumatra) is going to be one of the best choices for bold flavors and lower acidity.

Not only will you get a delicious cup of coffee, but the good news is that you shouldn’t get an upset stomach from this one.

Pike’s Place is Starbucks’ original and signature coffee blend. This medium roast comes from 100% Arabica beans to ensure the lowest acid while having a mellow flavor with hints of cocoa and nuts.

Starbucks brews this in-house so you can have a piping hot cup, and you can take away a bag of whole or ground coffee with you. You can also buy ground or whole beans. This one is an excellent choice with a rich flavor and no bitter taste.

It’s also available for purchase online. A 16-ounce serving has 310 mg of caffeine.

You can use either a coffee maker for the brewing method or a French press.

Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew is available in stores (on tap!) and online.

Cold brew is steeped in cold water over a 24-hour period, which reduces the acid significantly. The added nitrogen brings out a natural sweetness without any added sugars or sweeteners and gives it a foamy, creamy texture.

Just a note, iced coffee is not the same as cold brew coffee. Iced coffee is hot coffee poured over ice and cold brew coffee is made by steeping the grounds in cold water for a longer period of time. 

Cold brew tends to be a better option for those with stomach issues than iced coffee.

A 16-ounce serving has 280 mg of caffeine.

You can order cold brew coffee at Starbucks or purchase it online and at grocery stores in bulk.

In stores, it is served black and unsweetened, though you can always customize your order to add your preferred milk and sweetener. Online it’s sold either black or flavored and sweetened, so you can always have the perfect cold brew at home or on the go.

Again, cold brew tends to be lower on the ph scale and a better option for those with stomach issues due to the acids found in coffee.

A 16-ounce serving has 205 mg of caffeine.

The Espresso Dark Roast is Starbucks’ signature espresso, available in stores as a hot beverage or to-go as whole or ground beans.

You can have it as a singular shot but if straight espresso isn’t your thing you can order or make it as a latte or cappuccino. That means you can always have your favorite coffee just as you like it from home or while traveling.

A 1.5-ounce serving (one shot, typically) has 150 mg of caffeine.

Starbucks sells naturally flavored coffee in stores to take home with you and online, though they don’t brew it fresh at Starbucks locations.

These 100% Arabica bean coffee blends are made with natural flavoring so you don’t have to add flavored syrups or any sweetener if you are keeping your coffee sugar-free.

They may not be available in every single location, but you can find them online.