Califia Farms is one of the most popular plant-based beverage brands in the United States, known for its almond milk, oat milk, and a range of ready-to-drink cold brew coffee products. Their cold brew lineup includes pure black cold brew concentrate, cold brew with oat milk, and seasonal flavored varieties.
Califia's cold brew products are made with 100% arabica coffee, are non-GMO, and many are USDA organic. They're widely available at Whole Foods, Target, and major grocery chains. From a taste and ingredient quality perspective, Califia is a legitimate premium product. But the question health-conscious consumers are asking is: is Califia Farms cold brew actually lower in acid?
Califia Farms does not publish pH data for its cold brew products. The company markets its cold brew on the basis of convenience, plant-based credentials, and taste — not acidity reduction. Based on published research on cold brew coffee acidity, here's what we know:
A 2018 peer-reviewed study in Scientific Reports (Rao & Fuller) analyzed cold brew and hot brew coffee samples across multiple roast levels and found that pH values were statistically comparable across both methods (4.85–5.13). Cold brew's long, low-temperature steep does not meaningfully reduce titratable acidity. The coffee's roasting process — not its brewing method — is the primary determinant of final acidity. Califia Farms cold brew, like all standard cold brew products, is likely in the pH 4.8–5.1 range regardless of how it's brewed.
Oat milk is slightly alkaline, with a typical pH of 6.0–7.0. When mixed with cold brew (pH ~4.9–5.0), the resulting drink may reach pH 5.2–5.5 depending on the ratio — a modest improvement. However, the titratable acidity of the coffee itself is not changed. Research published by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that it's the acid load on the esophageal lining — not just the sip-level pH — that triggers reflux. Diluting with oat milk reduces the volume of acid but doesn't eliminate it.
For plant-based coffee drinkers with acid reflux or sensitive stomachs, the most effective strategy is to start with a genuinely low-acid coffee — then add whatever plant-based milk you prefer. Puroast, brewed as a cold brew and mixed with oat milk, produces a drink that starts at pH 5.74+ before any milk is added — compared to Califia's estimated 4.9 starting point.
| Feature | Califia Farms Cold Brew | Puroast Cold Brew (DIY) |
|---|---|---|
| pH (estimated) | ~4.85–5.0 | 5.74–5.82 |
| Low Acid Verified | ❌ No | ✅ NC A&T / LACCSA |
| Antioxidant Content | Standard | 5× higher |
| Plant-Based | ✅ (with oat/almond milk) | ✅ (coffee is naturally vegan) |
| RTD Convenience | ✅ | ❌ (requires 12–24hr steep) |
| Added Sugar Options | Some flavors have added sugar | Zero added sugar (pure coffee) |
If you're a plant-based coffee drinker who wants the convenience of a cold brew latte but also genuinely low acid and maximum antioxidants, the answer is simple: brew your own with Puroast, then add your preferred plant-based milk.
According to peer-reviewed research from NC A&T State University, Puroast's traditional roasting process produces coffee with verified pH 5.74–5.82 — the only coffee to meet the LACCSA low acid certification standard.
Califia Farms does not publish pH data for its cold brew. Based on peer-reviewed research on cold brew acidity (Rao & Fuller, 2018), cold brew has comparable pH to hot coffee (~4.85–5.13). Califia's cold brew is unlikely to be meaningfully lower in acid than standard coffee.
The oat milk slightly buffers acidity — potentially raising pH from ~4.9 to ~5.2 — but this is not sufficient to prevent acid reflux in sensitive individuals. The most effective solution is starting with a genuinely low-acid coffee base like Puroast (pH 5.74–5.82).
The plant-based milk component may slightly buffer acidity, but the underlying coffee's pH remains the determining factor for stomach sensitivity. A low-acid coffee base (like Puroast) mixed with plant-based milk is significantly gentler on the stomach than standard cold brew with any milk.
The best option for acid reflux is to brew your own cold brew using Puroast coffee — the only coffee with verified low acid certification from NC A&T University — then mix with your preferred unsweetened plant-based milk over ice.
No — peer-reviewed research (Rao & Fuller, Scientific Reports, 2018) found that cold and hot brew have statistically comparable pH values (4.85–5.13). Cold brew's long steep does not meaningfully reduce acidity. The roasting process is the only proven method to reduce coffee acidity.
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