system
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human
ELI5: if I make coffee (acidic) with high pH water (basic) would I have a pH neutral beverage?

Wondering why this wouldn't work to take out the acidity of coffee. Would it just taste terrible? What makes coffee acidic in the first place?
gpt
>Would it just taste terrible?

Yes. The acid is a key flavour component in coffee and without it (or with the addition of base to "balance" the pH) it will taste flat, and exacerbate other negative characteristics of the drink. The by products of the acid/base reaction may also contribute off flavours of saltiness or soapyness. 

> What makes coffee acidic in the first place?

The acids present in the raw coffee fruit before they are dried, processed, and roasted are mostly responsible for the acid in the finished drink. Just like apples or lemons contain acid, coffee cherries do too. Some additional acid is produced by fermentation of the beans which happens after they are harvested.