¿Sos del team café, team té o team mate? Más allá del gusto, hay una diferencia química que pocos conocen: la acidez. Y no, no es solo un tema de sabor—también afecta a tu estómago, tus dientes y hasta la forma en que preparás tu bebida favorita.
☕ ¿Por qué es ácido el café?
El café contiene varios ácidos orgánicos, pero el más abundante e influyente es el ácido clorogénico (C₁₆H₁₈O₉). Este compuesto se degrada durante el tueste, liberando subproductos ácidos y aportando ese sabor vibrante.
Otros compuestos presentes:
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Ácido málico (C₄H₆O₅) – presente también en manzanas, aporta una acidez frutal.
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Ácido cítrico (C₆H₈O₇) – clásico en frutas cítricas, pero también está en el grano.
🟤 Cuanto más oscuro el tueste, más se degradan estos ácidos → el café es menos ácido.
🧉 ¿Y el mate?
👉 Si bien tiene compuestos ácidos, no libera tantos H₃O⁺ como el café, por eso su pH es más alto.
🍵 ¿El té es el más suave?
Depende del tipo:
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El té negro contiene ácido gálico (C₇H₆O₅) y taninos, que bajan el pH y dan un sabor astringente.
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El té verde, en cambio, tiene L-teanina (C₇H₁₄N₂O₃) y flavonoides que tienen efectos alcalinizantes.
Esto hace que el té verde tenga un pH cercano a 7 o incluso superior → más alcalino y amigable para el estómago.
🤔 ¿Por qué debería importarte?
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Si tenés acidez estomacal o reflujo gastroesofágico, conviene evitar bebidas con bajo pH.
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El esmalte dental puede erosionarse con pH menores a 5.5.
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En términos sensoriales, los ácidos aportan brillo y complejidad al sabor, especialmente en cafés de origen.
🔬 Tip químico para reducir la acidez
✅ Elegí café de tueste oscuro (menos ácido clorogénico)
✅ Usá agua filtrada y no hirviendo para preparar infusiones (ideal: 70–80 °C)
✅ Hacé cold brew: el café en frío extrae menos compuestos ácidos
ENGLISH VERSION
☕ Coffee, Tea, or Mate: Which One Is More Acidic and Why Does It Matter?
Are you Team Coffee, Team Tea, or Team Mate? Beyond taste, there’s a chemical difference that few people know about: acidity. And no, it’s not just about flavor—it can also impact your stomach, your dental health, and even how you prepare your favorite drink.
🧪 What Does It Mean for a Drink to Be "Acidic"?
In chemistry, acidity is measured using the pH scale (potential of hydrogen), which ranges from 0 to 14:
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pH < 7 → acidic
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pH = 7 → neutral (like pure water)
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pH > 7 → basic or alkaline
The lower the pH, the higher the concentration of hydronium ions (H₃O⁺), and the more acidic the substance.
Formula:
pH = –log [H₃O⁺]
📊 How Acidic Are Coffee, Tea, and Mate?
| Drink | Approximate pH Range | Key Acidic Compounds |
|---|---|---|
| ☕ Coffee | 4.5 – 6.0 | Chlorogenic acid (C₁₆H₁₈O₉), malic acid (C₄H₆O₅), citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) |
| 🍵 Black Tea | 4.9 – 5.5 | Tannins, gallic acid (C₇H₆O₅) |
| 🍃 Green Tea | 7.0 – 10.0 | L-theanine (C₇H₁₄N₂O₃), flavonoids |
| 🧉 Mate | 5.5 – 6.0 | Caffeic acid (C₉H₈O₄), tannins |
🧠 Quick Takeaways:
🔴 Coffee is generally the most acidic
🟢 Green tea can be neutral or even alkaline
🟡 Mate is somewhere in the middle
🔍 Why Is Coffee Acidic?
Coffee contains several organic acids, but the most abundant and impactful is chlorogenic acid (C₁₆H₁₈O₉). It breaks down during roasting and releases acidic byproducts that give coffee its tangy flavor.
Other notable acids include:
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Malic acid (C₄H₆O₅) – also found in apples, adds a fruity note
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Citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) – common in citrus fruits and found naturally in coffee beans
☕ The darker the roast, the fewer these acids remain → dark roast = less acidic coffee
💡 Espresso fans, take note.
🧉 What About Mate?
Yerba mate contains caffeic acid (C₉H₈O₄) and other polyphenols that act as antioxidants. It also has tannins, a group of phenolic compounds (like gallic acid C₇H₆O₅), which give that dry, slightly bitter flavor.
Although it has acids, it releases fewer H₃O⁺ ions than coffee, so it's less irritating to the stomach—unless you drink it boiling hot or excessively, of course.
🍵 Is Tea the Gentlest Option?
It depends on the type:
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Black tea is somewhat acidic, due to gallic acid and tannins.
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Green tea, surprisingly, can be alkaline, thanks to compounds like L-theanine (C₇H₁₄N₂O₃) and certain flavonoids.
This makes green tea a good option for people with gastric sensitivity or acid reflux.
🤔 Why Should You Care?
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If you suffer from acid reflux or heartburn, you might want to limit coffee and try green tea instead.
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Tooth enamel can erode with exposure to drinks below pH 5.5.
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In specialty coffee, acidity isn’t bad—it actually adds brightness and complexity to flavor (like fruity or citrus notes).
🔬 Chemistry Tips to Reduce Acidity
✅ Choose dark roast coffee (lower in chlorogenic acid)
✅ Don’t boil yerba or tea—ideal water temperature is 70–80°C (160–175°F)
✅ Try cold brew: it extracts fewer acidic compounds
💬 What Team Are You On?
Do you sip coffee to wake up, mate to connect, or tea to relax?
Tell me in the comments which one you drink the most—and if acidity has ever affected you.
Because, as I always say: Chemistry isn't just in the lab—it's also in your cup!
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