What Is Citric Acid?

Citric acid is one of the most common food preservatives and flavoring additives. It can be found naturally in citrus fruits but is also manufactured. Its name is derived from the fact that it's an organic acid found in many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits. Citric acid is a concentrated powder that is prized for its sour flavor, preservative quality, and ability to act as a pH buffer. For these reasons, citric acid is found on the ingredients list of many foods in your kitchen pantry, including preserves, candy, and crunchy snacks. It is also known as "sour salt" due to its flavor and similar appearance and texture to salt.

Citric Acid Uses

Citric acid has many uses in food production. It is a flavor enhancer, preservative, and helps facilitate the ripening process. About 50 percent of the world’s citric acid production is used as a flavor booster in beverages, and because citric acid is made in a powder form, it's added to dry foods such as seasoning salts, flavoring powders, and crunchy snacks when a sour flavor is desired.

The acidic pH of citric acid makes it useful as a food preservative and preserves the color of the food since it significantly slows the oxidation. Since many bacteria are unable to grow in an acidic environment, citric acid is often added to jams, jellies, candy, canned foods, and even meat products as a form of preservation. Citric acid is also used to facilitate the ripening process when making cheese, particularly mozzarella. It is employed to adjust the pH of solutions when brewing both beer and wine, and works to keep fats from separating in homemade ice cream; it also prevents sugar from crystallizing in caramels. A small pinch of citric acid can also enhance the leavening power of baking soda, making it an ideal secret ingredient for cakes and biscuits. Those on a low-sodium diet may sub in citric acid for salt when seasoning.

What Does It Taste Like?

Citric acid adds a sour taste to dishes and has a slightly tart, refreshing flavor, which balances the sweetness in sodas, teas, juices, and other drinks.

Where to Buy Citric Acid

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