Foods That Have Acid In Them

Food acids are the only edible acids, and add to the sharpness of taste in a food, such as citric acid in an orange. That's why these acids often are used as additives. Ironically, some foods that contain natural acids become alkaline when ingested, such as grapefruit, lemons and limes. Many acids are added to foods to reduce the food pH. Most processed foods have acids added artificially.

Citric Acid

All citrus fruits have citric acid. Examples are grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes.

Malic Acid

Malic acid occurs in many fruits, including apples, tomatoes and plums.

Tartric Acid

Tartric acid is present in grapes, pineapples, potatoes and carrots.

Benzoic Acid

Cranberries, prunes and plums contain benzoic acid.

Sorbic Acid

Sorbic acid comes from rowan berries. It is combined with potassium, sodium, and calcium salts to inhibit fungi growth in cheese, wine, soda, low?sugar jellies, flour, and confectioneries.

Fermentation

Acetic, lactic and propionic acid are produced in various fermented foods. Acetic acid, for example, is found in vinegar. Propionic acid is used to limit mold in bread. Lactic acid is used as a preservative in an array of processed foods.

Beverages

Oxalic acid is found in tea, cocoa and pepper, while tannic acid is in tea and caffeotannic acid is in coffee.

Fatty Acids

Oils and fats have fatty acids in them. Oleic acid is found in olive oil, while linoleic acid is in corn, soybean and peanut oil, for example. These are unsaturated fatty acids. Lard and beef fat have stearic acid, and butter and corn oil have palmitic acid. These are saturated fatty acids.