Citric acid can be used by professional cooks, food manufacturers, and home cooks alike. If you aren't using citric acid in your recipes, you may be missing out. Here are four ways that you can use citric acid in your kitchen:
1. Make your foods last longer.
Many people avoid preservatives when shopping for groceries. However, not all preservatives are bad. Some preservatives are made from natural ingredients that can keep your food from spoiling. For instance, citric acid is a natural preservative that can be added to many of your favorite recipes. Add it to homemade jelly or jam to ensure that your fruit preserves last as long as possible. You can even marinate your favorite meat in a citric acid solution before dehydrating it to make jerky. Clever use of citric acid can help you save money on your grocery bill.
2. Add a delightful, sour taste to your recipes.
Citric acid is derived from lemons, which gives it a characteristic sour flavor. Citric acid can be used as a flavoring agent when making homemade candies. You can sprinkle a mixture of citric acid and sugar on the outside of gummy candies for a great sour taste. You can even add citric acid to your favorite hard candy recipes.
3. Keep your produce looking fresh.
Most fruits and vegetables undergo an oxidation process when their insides are exposed to the air. This process can create an unappetizing brown discoloration that, while it won't affect the safety or flavor of your produce, is often unpleasant to look at. Citric acid can help you keep your produce looking pristine and appetizing. Mix a little powdered citric acid with water, and use it to coat sliced fruits and vegetables. You can even add a little citric acid to spreads like guacamole to keep them from browning.
4. Brew your own alcoholic beverages.
Many people enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a bottle of beer at the end of the day. You can purchase pre-made wine and beer from your local grocery store, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can create your own homebrewed beverages. Beer and wine are created through a natural fermentation process. Specific types of brewer's yeast consume sugar and excrete alcohol. However, it's important to keep your brewing equipment and must free from wild yeast and bacteria that can ruin the flavor of your homebrew. Citric acid is a safe sanitizing ingredient that can be used in your home brewing projects.
