Can citric acid be replaced with lemon juice and vice versa?

To answer the question of whether it is possible to replace lemon with citric acid, it is necessary to clarify for what purpose the replacement is made. If for healing and getting an identical taste, then no. But in the preparation of most dishes, lemon and citric acid are completely interchangeable components. In cooking, they are used to give products a pleasant aftertaste. In addition, acids play the role of preservatives and help maintain an attractive appearance of dishes. Often they are used for pickling meat and fish.

Lemon and Citric Acid

Advantages and disadvantages of replacing juice with acid

Lemon contains many useful substances and aromatic essential oils. Its main advantage is the benefits to the body. It has tonic properties, enhances immunity, improves memory and inhibits inflammatory processes.

Lemon and citric acid have only one similarity - sour taste. "Lemon" is a chemical product. It is obtained by biosynthesis of sugary substances. Although before it was really obtained from citrus fruits.

Pros of using citric acid in dishes:

  • low cost;
  • compactness;
  • long shelf life;
  • universality;
  • good solubility in any liquids;
  • Allowed to people allergic to citrus fruits.

"Limonka" loses juicy citrus in only a few ways:

  • has a sour, but completely unnatural, unpleasant taste;
  • odorless;
  • does not contain vitamins and nutrients.

A pack of citric acid (25 grams) can replace 4–5 lemons, which is equivalent to 150 ml, or 10 tbsp. l, juice.

Using citric acid in the kitchen

When is it possible?

Lemon juice can be replaced with acid from a pack if the dish is planned to be cooked. With strong heating, useful substances nevertheless disappear from the juice. The only dish will not have a lemon smell. But it will not affect the taste at all.

"Lemon" instead of lemon juice is added:

  • marinades for fish and meat;
  • in jam;
  • in mousses and creams;
  • in syrups and sauces;
  • in meringues, sweets;
  • in baking dough;
  • in soft drinks.

But spraying the prepared dishes with a solution is not recommended. This will not affect the taste in the best way.

Citric Acid, Lemons and Water

Proportions for replacement

It is impossible to calculate exactly how many “lemons” you need to take, so that it matches the juice of one lemon by acidity. Firstly, citrus fruits are different in size, and secondly, they differ in juiciness and thickness of the peel. Thirdly, some varieties are very acidic, others more watery. Therefore, all calculations of proportions will be approximate:

  • 100 ml of lemon juice = 100 ml of water and 16 g of citric acid.
  • Juice of one lemon = 30–40 ml of water and 5 g of “lemons” (teaspoon).
  • 1 tbsp. spoon of lemon juice = 1 tbsp. teaspoon of water and 0.5 teaspoons of lemon.

It is advisable to taste the diluted liquid. If it is not acidic enough, “lemon” should be added. And if on the contrary - add water.

It is definitely not worth replacing lemon with acid in order to increase immunity or to improve health. It does not benefit the body and, in high doses, can cause irritation of the mucosa, burns, stomach pain, burning, nausea.

Cranberries in water

Other lemon substitutes

Citric acid is not the only lemon substitute. If neither one nor the other is at hand, you can successfully use:

  • sour berries (red currants, lingonberries, cranberries);
  • sorrel;
  • oranges and tangerines;
  • pomegranate, cherry, cranberry, apple, grape juice without sugar;
  • table, apple or wine vinegar;
  • lemon pepper (when cooking fish).

Natural substitutes are rich in bioactive substances and beneficial to health. Most often, instead of lemon, 9% table vinegar is used in cooking: 4 teaspoons replace the juice of 1 lemon or 1 teaspoon of lemon.

So, is it possible to replace lemon with citric acid? In cooking, definitely yes. Both components give acidity, make meat and fish juicy, and sweet creams and jams are not allowed to crystallize. When replacing, focus on the above proportions and taste the solution to get the right percentage of acidity.

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