Acidity

Definition

Acidity is the tart or sour quality in fruit, strongest in citrus, which balances sweetness. It makes lemon juice sharp and lets a squeeze at the end of cooking lift a dish much like salt. In pineapple, plums and grapefruit it gives the sweet-tart character. Acidic juice slows browning on cut apples, pears and bananas without stopping it completely. See also: Pectin, Astringency, and the guide "The Yellow Citrus Family: Lemons, Yuzu, Citron and More".