How To Use Baking Soda In Coffee (Easy Tips & Tricks)

Have you ever thought about adding baking soda to your coffee? It might sound weird! But this simple kitchen staple can transform your morning coffee. 

Quick Reason: Many people find that a pinch of baking soda smooths out the bitterness and alleviates stomach discomfort, which is a common problem when you drink acidic drinks. 

Do you want to learn more details? Like how much baking soda you should include, when to avoid it, and much more. So, keep reading to find out.

Key Takeaways

• Reduces Acidity: Baking soda in coffee significantly lowers acidity, making each sip smoother and more stomach-friendly. This is especially beneficial for those with acid reflux or sensitive stomachs.
• Improves Flavor: A pinch of baking soda can enhance the subtler flavors in your coffee by reducing bitterness and improving the overall taste without altering the coffee’s natural profile.
• Cost-Effective and Simple: Adding baking soda is an inexpensive and straightforward method to make regular coffee less acidic, offering a practical alternative to purchasing special low-acid coffee varieties.

Why Add Baking Soda to Your Coffee?

Okay, so let’s see why this weird combo can do wonders for your coffee and health.

1 – Reduces Acidity

First off, baking soda is a natural acid neutralizer. Adding it to your coffee can significantly reduce its acidity. Making each sip smoother and kinder to your stomach.

This is especially beneficial if you have acid reflux or sensitive stomachs.

2 – Improves Flavor

Baking soda can bring out the subtler flavors in your coffee by cutting down the bitterness.

3 – Soothes Stomach Discomfort

Baking soda in coffee can be a game-changer for those who experience gastrointestinal discomfort from acidic foods and beverages. It helps make your favorite brew more stomach-friendly.

4 – Cost-Effective Solution

Instead of investing in expensive, low-acid coffee varieties, you can easily add a pinch of baking soda to make your regular coffee less acidic. It’s a budget solution that most people have at home.

5 – Easy to Implement

Incorporating baking soda into your coffee routine is as simple as it gets. A small amount, about a quarter teaspoon per cup, is all it takes to enjoy these benefits.

Myth Buster: Baking soda isn’t a weight-loss solution or an energy booster. The main benefit is making your coffee more digestible and less bitter.

How Much Baking Soda Should You Add?

What’s the right amount? You don’t want to add too much or too little. So let’s check:

1. Start Small: For a standard cup of coffee, begin with just a pinch—about 1/16th of a teaspoon. Often, this tiny amount is enough to reduce acidity without changing your coffee’s natural flavor.
2. Stir Well: You want to stir the baking soda well until it’s dissolved in the coffee.
3. Adjust to Taste: Add a bit more baking soda if the acidity is still too pronounced. However, don’t exceed 1/4 teaspoon per cup. Remember, a little goes a long way with baking soda.
4. Consistency is Key: You want to find the right amount of baking soda and always add the same to your coffee. This ensures you consistently get the taste and benefits you want.

How Much Baking Soda is Safe?

While baking soda can be a great addition to your coffee, it’s essential to be mindful of your daily consumption.

• Safe Consumption: Most adults can safely consume up to 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda daily, including the amount used in coffee and other sources.
• Health Considerations: If you have specific health conditions, such as high blood pressure, or are on a sodium-restricted diet, you should consult a healthcare provider before adding baking soda.

Remember, you want to improve your coffee. For this reason, you should add baking soda in moderation.

Salt vs. Baking Soda in Coffee: Comparison

Two contenders stand out in coffee additives: salt and baking soda. Both are unique, with their benefits. So let’s take a look:

Aspect	Salt	Baking Soda
Taste	Adds a subtle improvement to the coffee’s natural flavors. It reduces its bitterness without changing the coffee’s robust profile. Quite similar to how salt works in cooking.	Effectively neutralizes coffee’s acidity, making it taste smoother. However, too much can give you a slight chemical taste, so moderation is key.
Health Benefits	Reduces the perception of bitterness without adding extra calories or sweeteners.  This can be a healthier option to improve flavor, especially for those looking to reduce sugar intake.	Helps to neutralize stomach acid, making coffee gentler on your digestive system.  This is ideal for people who experience acid reflux or gastrointestinal discomfort from coffee.
Brewing Effects	Adding to coffee grounds before brewing can temper bitterness and reduce the “scorched” taste from some automatic drip machines. Ideal for improving cheaper beans or darker roasts that often are overly bitter.	Adding a tiny pinch to the grounds or directly into the brewed coffee neutralizes the acids. Helpful in smoothing out flavors in older or stale beans that might have increased acidity.
When to Use	If you want to better your coffee’s flavor without altering its strength.	You need to manage coffee acidity for taste preference or digestive reasons. You prefer a smoother, mellow coffee to avoid stomach upset.

When to Avoid Baking Soda in Coffee?

While baking soda is great in your coffee, sometimes it’s better to skip it. For this reason, let’s check a few scenarios where this is the case:

Health Conditions and Scenarios Where It’s a No-Go

• High Blood Pressure: Be cautious if you’re managing high blood pressure. Baking soda is high in sodium, which can aggravate hypertension.
• Low-Sodium Diet: For those on a low-sodium diet, whether due to kidney issues or other health concerns. Adding baking soda to their coffee could disrupt their dietary balance.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant women are often advised to monitor their sodium intake. If you’re expecting, consult your healthcare provider before adding baking soda to your coffee.
• Medication Interference: Baking soda can interfere with the absorption of certain medications. If you’re on prescription drugs, especially for stomach or heart conditions, check with your doctor first.

Expert Advice and Medical Recommendations

• Consult Healthcare Professionals: Before making baking soda a regular part of your coffee routine, especially if you have existing health conditions, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
• Moderation is Key: Even if you don’t have specific health concerns, using baking soda in moderation is crucial.
• Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body reacts after adding baking soda to your coffee. Any discomfort or unusual symptoms should be a signal to stop and consult a professional.

Remember, while experimenting with your coffee can be fun and rewarding, your health should always come first. So, stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy your coffee in a way that works best for you.

Tips To Add Baking Soda To Your Coffee

Over the years, I’ve tried baking soda in several ways. Here are some creative possibilities I’ve come up with:

Creative Ways to Incorporate Baking Soda in Your Coffee

• Cold Brew Twist: If you’re a fan of cold brew, a pinch of baking soda during the brewing process can reduce acidity, making for a smoother, more palatable drink.
• Homemade Coffee Blends: Mix a tiny amount of baking soda with your ground coffee before brewing. This can be especially beneficial for darker roasts or cheaper beans that are more acidic.
• Post-Brew Adjustment: Do you prefer to play it safe? Add baking soda after brewing, allowing you to adjust each cup to your taste.

Pairing Baking Soda In Coffee with Foods and Occasions

• Breakfast Combo: Pair a baking soda in coffee with citrusy breakfast foods like orange juice or lemon-infused pastries. The coffee’s reduced acidity complements the tanginess of these foods.
• After-Dinner Coffee: A little baking soda can make it a more stomach-friendly option, especially after spicy or acidic dishes.
• Coffee Tasting Events: Include a batch with baking soda to showcase how a small change can make a big difference in flavor and acidity.

Remember, adding baking soda to your coffee is about personalizing your experience. Just like I experimented, I suggest you do the same until you find your perfect combos. 

Last Thoughts

Adding baking soda to your coffee routine can improve your coffee by reducing acidity and smoothing out the flavor. 

I went on to detail how a pinch of baking soda can make coffee less bitter and more stomach-friendly, particularly for those with acid sensitivity. Also, it’s important to moderate baking soda use to avoid any health risks from excessive sodium intake.

Whether you want to experiment with your brew or need a gentler morning cup, baking soda offers a simple, cost-effective solution. 

Lastly, personalize it to your taste, so adjust the amount based on what works well for your taste and diet. Have you ever wondered, “how much potassium is in coffee?” Read here and found out.