What is Citric Acid Used for?

If you're like most people, you've undoubtedly heard something said about it, noted that it was an ingredient in a number of the things you eat or drink, but have you ever thought about citric acid? Sometimes, it seems like it's in everything. So, what is it? Better yet, why exactly is it used? And, what for?

Function

• The most common use of citric acid is as a food additive, most often as either a way of flavoring or naturally preserving a product. If you have a soda on hand, take a gander at its list of ingredients. You'll most likely find it somewhere after carbonated water. It's used to add an acidic or sour taste to your soda, depending on the flavor. You may also find it in the production of lesser priced wines where the fruit used has little to no acidity of its own. More often than not, there will be no mention of it as an ingredient, but you shouldn't find it in your higher quality bottles. Surprisingly, it can also be used in non-food products such as some laundry detergents. Its addition in the compound can aid in the production of foam and increase the capacity for the product to clean your clothes.

History

• Citric acid wasn't actually isolated from its source until the late 1700s by the chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. At the time, he was actually able to crystallize the citric acid from lemon juice. But it wasn't until 1860 when the industrial production of the product was ushered in, due on a large part to the Italian fruit industry. Some 30 years later, the way in which citric acid was produced began to move away from citrus, and a new source was found in the mold from sugar. Another 20 odd years would need to go by before another chemist, Jamie Currie, would find yet another mold that could efficiently produce citric acid. Yeah, it sure makes you want to rethink that last pop.

Identification

• Typically, you'll find citric acid in a powdery form, often white in color. Ever have a sour candy that's covered in a chalky powder? That's actually citric acid. Makes you pucker, doesn't it? Most time, you won't be able to tell that is actually in something until you taste it, but you certainly won't be mistaken when you do.

Features

• If you hadn't already guessed, citric acid is completely safe for consumption as it can be found in virtually all forms of life. If, perchance, you were to have an exceeding amount in your diet, there us little to be concerned as it is easily metabolized and quickly removed from your body.

Warning

• It should be noted that high intake of products containing citric acid can erode your tooth enamel. Almost certainly you've heard dentists talk about children's teeth in relation to soda consumption. This is one of the reasons.