If you are looking for an easily digestible coffee with little caffeine, there are a few characteristics that can help you make the right choice. For many enthusiasts, coffee is a daily pleasure they would not give up. Not everyone tolerates it in the same way, though. Some people experience acidity, a heavy stomach, restlessness or trouble falling asleep after drinking a cup. The good news is that not all coffees are the same.
Is caffeine really the problem?
We often blame caffeine for every discomfort, but the reality is more complex. Caffeine can certainly increase gastric sensitivity in some people and cause agitation or insomnia, yet how well coffee is digested also depends on other factors:
- botanical variety;
- processing method;
- roast level;
- quality of the raw material;
- brewing method.
For this reason, an easily digestible coffee is the result of a combination of factors: being low in caffeine alone is not enough.
Arabica or Robusta: which contains less caffeine?
When it comes to caffeine content, the main difference concerns the species that is cultivated.
Arabica
The Arabica variety generally contains between 0.8% and 1.5% caffeine. Among its characteristics we find:
- a more delicate and aromatic taste;
- less bitterness;
- lower caffeine content;
- greater aromatic complexity.
Robusta
Robusta contains on average between 1.8% and 3% caffeine. It is characterised by:
- a more intense and assertive flavour;
- greater body;
- more bitter notes;
- significantly higher caffeine content.
If you want to limit your caffeine intake, a blend with a high percentage of Arabica is generally the better choice.
Specialty: an easily digestible coffee?
The quality of the raw material plays a fundamental role. Coffees that come from selected harvests and are processed with care tend to show fewer defects and better cleanliness in the cup. Unripe beans, over-fermented lots and foreign matter are exactly the elements that most often produce the harsh, drying sensations people associate with a heavy coffee. This often translates into a more pleasant perception and greater tolerability for many people. Specialty coffees also let you know precisely the origin, the variety and the processing method, making it easier to choose more delicate aromatic profiles.
Pay attention to the roast
Many people think that a very dark roast makes coffee stronger. From an aromatic point of view the opposite is true. We have already covered this topic, and if you want to go deeper you can read this article.
An extremely pushed roast can:
- increase bitter notes;
- generate more aggressive aromas;
- cover the original characteristics of the bean.
For anyone looking for a coffee that is gentler on the stomach, a well executed medium roast is often the best compromise between sweetness, aroma and digestibility.
Is decaffeinated coffee a good solution?
If your main goal is to reduce caffeine to a minimum, decaf can be a valid alternative. Modern decaffeination processes make it possible to preserve much of the aromatic character of the coffee, leaving very small amounts of caffeine.
Today there are high quality decaffeinated coffees, often obtained from prized Arabica varieties, capable of offering a tasting experience surprisingly close to that of traditional coffee.
Which brewing methods are gentler?
The preparation method can also influence how digestible the coffee feels.
Many consumers find these particularly pleasant:
- V60;
- Chemex;
- American filter;
- AeroPress with light recipes.
These systems tend to produce cleaner and less concentrated drinks than traditional espresso.
The ideal easily digestible coffee with little caffeine
If we had to draw an identikit, an easily digestible coffee should have:
- a prevalence or totality of Arabica;
- a selected origin;
- a medium roast;
- no evident defects;
- a balanced extraction;
- possibly a quality decaffeinated version.
Naturally every person reacts differently, but these criteria are an excellent starting point for finding the coffee best suited to your needs.
Conclusion
Choosing an easily digestible coffee does not mean giving up taste. On the contrary, it often means moving closer to higher quality products, capable of offering richer aromas and a more pleasant experience.
If you want to reduce caffeine without losing the pleasure of the cup, look towards selected Arabica coffees, balanced roasts and, if necessary, high quality decaf. Your palate and your stomach may thank you.
Find the coffee that suits you best
On Nero Caliente we explore every aspect of the world of coffee: from botanical varieties to brewing methods, from roasting techniques to tips for getting a perfect cup. Follow us on our social channels and continue your journey discovering the best coffees in the world, one bean at a time.
