Espresso Acidity: What It Is and How to Control It

published on: 2022-05-12

For some people espresso feels acidic. But is espresso actually acidic?

Espresso is less acidic than normal coffee.

That’s because espresso is generally prepared with dark roast coffee beans, which are less acidic. The more coffee beans are roasted, the milder they become. Because most coffee is produced using a medium roast, espresso has significantly less acidity.

The coffee’s ph level is approximately 4.89, whereas the espresso has a ph level of between 5.5 and 6, meaning espresso is less acidic than normal coffee.

But if espresso is not acidic, how come it sometimes feels like that?

Acidity in espresso

Acidity is often confused with bitterness in espresso. Bitterness is one of the main taste profiles in coffee and it’s what makes espresso taste less sweet. The acidity in espresso is actually quite low, but because of the high concentration of coffee solids, it can sometimes feel more acidic than it actually is.

Some people might also confuse acidic espresso to a sour espresso, which is kind of related, but not really.

To control the acidity in your espresso, start by using a higher quality bean. A darker roast will also help to round out the flavor and make the espresso less acidic. If you find that your espresso is still too acidic, you can try using a different brewing method or adding milk to balance out the flavors.

Also make sure that you’re not using too much coffee in your espresso. If you use too much coffee, the espresso will be more concentrated and therefore more acidic.

Finally, make sure that your water is not too hard. Hard water can make espresso taste more bitter and acidic. If possible, use filtered or distilled water to brew your espresso.

Brewing the perfect cup of espresso is all about finding the right balance of flavors. By controlling the acidity in your espresso, you can create a delicious and well-rounded cup of coffee that everyone will love.

Filed under: espressoacidic