What Is Citric Acid and Where Does It Come From?

Who else loves taking a big bite into a lemon? No one? Good, that’s insane behavior. While lemon’s flavor is excellent as an additive, just straight lemon will turn your face inside out with its tartness. That’s because of the high concentration of citric acid in the fruit. Citric acid is a common ingredient in a whole host of processed foods, from Sour Patch Kids and other sour candies to sodas like Sprite and Mountain Dew. So, does that mean that there’s lemon juice in these products, or does this citric acid come from a place far more devious? Let’s get into it. 

What is citric acid?

Citric acid is an organic compound classified as a “weak” acid; this is opposed to something like hydrochloric acid which, if ingested, will burn holes in your GI tract. As its name suggests, citric acid is naturally found in citrus fruits: lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, and the like. 

It used to be that the only way you get citric acid in your food was by eating a citrus fruit. But in 1784, a chemist was able to isolate the acid in the form of a crystal. After this was accomplished, citric acid could be used as a flavor additive for food. By 1890, industrial production of citric acid was up and running.

So, that’s where we get our current citric acid from, right? Wrong.

Where does citric acid come from?

In 1917, a scientist named James Currie discovered that a certain mold would create citric acid as a byproduct after being introduced to sugar. I imagine he screamed to the heavens in defiance of all gods and monsters before him. This method is still used to this day.

Building on this perverse science, in 1977 citric acid was completely, synthetically made in a lab. So, if you think they’re just squirting grapefruit into your Squirt soda, think again.

What is citric acid used for?

In food, citric acid is used as a flavor enhancer. And a little goes a long way. It’s much easier and certainly more cost-efficient to toss a scoop of citric acid into something rather than squeezing a whole bunch of limes for their juices. 

But citric acid also appears in a lot of other industries including skincare products and cleaning supplies. It’s reassuring and/or horrifying to know that something added to our food can also smooth our skin and destroy stains and odors.

Is citric acid a preservative?

Citric acid does serve a secondary benefit as a food preserve. Due to its high acidity, it creates an environment in which it is difficult for bacteria to grow and spoil food.

Is citric acid vitamin C?

It feels like it should be, right? But it isn’t. Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid, another organic compound that is artificially added to many foods.