Making The Perfect Cup of Coffee
Even with Acid Reflux
Written By: Charity Johnson, Co-Owner, Nerd Java (c) Nerd Java
two of the major reasons people stop drinking coffee
The Struggle is real!
Many humans, even babies, deal with Acid Reflux and IBS, though most of the time it is developed a little later in life.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) most commonly develops in a person’s teens through their 40s, with many diagnoses made in their 20s and 30s. Mine started in High School and was diagnosed in my early 20s, I am a 100% typical case.
Acid reflux can occur at any age, but the chances of developing the more serious, chronic form (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD) increase after age 40. I know, I know, it’s just one more thing to toss on the pile of hate with getting older.
One thing that makes both of these medical conditions worse is coffee. Yup, you read that right, our morning wakeup call can set you up for a day of pain and torment. Many who are diagnosed with either or both of these conditions are told to stop drinking the sweet ambrosia of life we call our morning cup of joe.
Because of this, we at Nerd Java have developed a meticulous process to lower the acidity (increase pH) of each of our coffees to 7pH and in some cases as high as 8pH.
Yes, you are seeing that right; our coffee is nearly alkaline, and we will continue experimenting until we reach alkalinity.The important first step is to start with green coffee beans that are naturally mid- to low-acidity, and then apply our special processing technique.
Though we won't share our trade secret degassing methodology, you can be certain it works. Just try a sip of any of our Nerd Java Coffee offerings, and you'll notice the difference instantly.
However, even with this extra help, sometimes we can have a really bad day and need some extra support.
We have curated a few steps on how to make the perfect cup of coffee, plus a few added tips if your body is having a worse-than-usual IBS or Reflux day, but you still need that cup of Java.
Why Nerd Java:
In 2021, during the COVID pandemic, a co-owner of Nerd Java experienced a severe long-haul side effect of an acid that burned her vocal cords, esophagus, and lungs. This acid condition resulted in repeated pneumonia, immense pain, and nearly total voice loss. Upon being told by doctors that she could never have coffee again, she turned to her husband and whisper-croaked, “We are smart people; let’s figure out how to make low-acid coffee for me.”
Thus began the experimentation and journey. Once we figured it out for this working momma, we decided to share what we discovered with others and launch Nerd Java. The founder of Nerd Java Coffee can drink every single one of our coffees black, which she was unable to do with any coffee before her diagnosis.
We don’t add anything extra to our coffee to improve digestibility. Our slow-roasting process releases toxins, enhancing flavor and reducing acidity. We then degas the coffee, in our special way, before packaging it with care.
Getting the process right took 2 years of experimentation, patience, and a healthy chunk of change. We continue to perfect the process for ourselves and coffee lovers alike.
Nerd Java coffee can be enjoyed by everyone, including those without health concerns and who appreciate a great brew. By keeping our overhead low, we are committed to delivering high-quality coffee at affordable prices so everyone can enjoy it.
NOT Starbucks, NOT Dunkin’ Donuts, NOT McDonald’s, NOT Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, NOT Pete’s:
Though we have to admit, Pete’s is a bit better than the rest, their coffee tends to be still pretty harsh on the digestive system.
If you prefer the harsh bitterness and intense acidity commonly found in mainstream coffee companies like Starbucks, Dunkin’, McD’s, and The Coffee Bean, our coffee may not be to your tastes, but we still encourage you to give it a try, because you don’t know what you are missing out on.
If you have tried slow roast in the past, and it’s not for you, we are not here to change your mind; we solely want to give those who do not have cast-iron stomachs a chance to enjoy the Java.
Our process removes those aspects of the coffee, making it more suitable for those with digestive issues. If all you have ever tried is from a mainstream company, even if you choose not to get coffee from us, we recommend finding a local mom-and-pop shop that offers slow-roast coffee.
How to Make a Great Cup of Java: #shopsmall #NerdJavaCoffee (shameless plug)
Java Brews: purchase our pre-ground beans or grind your whole beans to your preferred coarseness to complement your brewing technique.
Want to learn more about what grinds are best for which types of brews? Check out this blog (Coming Soon)!
Some examples are pour-over, K-cup, drip coffee pot, cold brew, iced hot Coffee, French press, espresso, demitasse, and Turkish.
If you have our regular pre-ground beans, they are perfect for pour-over, drip coffee, reusable K-Cup, or cold brew. Regardless of how you like to drink your coffee, you will find our beans to be delicious, full-bodied, and rich.
If you don’t have a coffee machine and don’t want to invest in one, check out this fun blog post… (Coming Soon)
Nerd Java Event Brew: 11 grams (1 heaping tablespoon + a little more) / 6 oz water
Regular “Industry Standard” Brew: 11 grams/ 8 oz water OR 8g to 6 oz water
Softer / lighter Brew: 8 grams (1 heaping tablespoon) / 8oz water
Hints to Enhance Your Cup of Java:
- Reusable K-Cup – add a natural (unbleached) filter inside the K-Cup; the screen filter is not good enough
- Pour Over – Use a bamboo or natural filter (unbleached) – it does affect the flavor
- Coffee Pot – Use a bamboo or natural filter (unbleached) – it does affect the flavor. Additionally, our coffee is fresh and has quite a bloom. Our Sample bag of 85 grams/3 oz is the perfect amount for a strong 10-cup pot of coffee or a regular 12-cup coffee maker.
Nerd Java Coffee is Bloomin’ Good:
Fresh Coffee blooms when water comes into contact with it. The bloom is a fun chemical reaction to observe during a pour-over, as it shows how fresh the coffee really is.
Nerd Java coffee has a fantastic “bloom” as it is always fresh. However, the “Bloom” can occasionally be big, and though it is fun to watch with pour-overs, if you are trying to make coffee in a coffee pot, we suggest 85g of coffee (3 oz in a value pack) to 10 cups of water in a 12-14 cup coffee pot. The reduced water will help avoid a messy pot and/or grains in your carafe.
However, if grounds end up in your coffee pot due to the “bloom,” your Nerd Java coffee is still good; run it through a strainer or use a pour-over filter before drinking.