What is Tartaric Acid

Description

Tartaric acid is a white, crystalline organic acid that occurs naturally in many fruits, most notably in grapes, but also in bananas, tamarinds, and citrus. Its salt, potassium bitartrate, commonly known as cream of tartar, develops naturally in the process of winemaking. Tartaric acid is commonly mixed with sodium bicarbonate and is sold as baking powder used as a leavening agent in food preparation. The acid itself is added to foods as an antioxidant E334 and to impart its distinctive sour taste.

Tartaric acid is an alpha-hydroxy-carboxylic acid, is diprotic and aldaric in acid characteristics, and is a dihydroxyl derivative of succinic acid.

Application

Food Additive

As an acidulant, tartaric acid has a taste that is naturally sour and gives foods a sharp, tart flavor. Tartaric acid can also help set gels and preserve foods. It is often added to products like carbonated beverages, fruit jellies, gelatin and effervescent tablets. It is also an ingredient in cream of tartar, found in hard candy and different brands of baking powder to make baked goods rise.

Other Uses

Industrial uses for tartaric acid include within the gold and silver plating process, cleaning and polishing metals, tanning leather and making blue ink for blueprints. Tartaric acid is also an ingredient in Rochelle Salt, which reacts with silver nitrate to create the silvering on mirrors. Rochelle Salt is also a laxative, according to The Chemical Company. Ester derivatives of tartaric acid can dye fabrics.