A crisp apple or the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon have a distinct, tingling crisp taste that makes the fruit flavorful, yet tart. These are a couple of examples of foods that contain malic acid, which increases the flavor intensity in many foods and drinks. Malic acid is related to several health-boosting effects, such as playing a role in energy production in the body and reducing blood pressure, according to NaturalStandard.com.
Fruits
Malic acid is chiefly known for giving fruits their tart flavor. Malic acid is produced during fruit metabolism and occurs naturally in all fruits (even those that don't have an extremely tart flavor). These fruits include apples, lemons, nectarines, grapes, peaches, mangoes, prickly pears, tomatoes, oranges, kiwis, strawberries, watermelon, cherries and lychee.
Malic acid also is present in fruit fillings, such as cookies, pies, nutrition bars or cakes to enhance fruit flavor.
Candies
Just as malic acid gives fruits their tart taste, it's used to achieve the same flavoring for hard, soft and sugarless candies. Often a number of acids similar to malic acid, such as citric and fumaric acid, are combined to create a sour then sweet taste. Malic acid is often incorporated into hard candies such as Jolly Ranchers or soft candies such as Laffy Taffy.
Malic acid also is used in chewing gums to enhance and prolong flavor while chewing gum.
Wine
Malic acid is often incorporated into the winemaking process in order to reduce the acidity of a wine. This helps to give wine a sharp taste yet not taste vinegar-esque. The acid also is added to spiked apple cider beverages.
Dairy Products and Other Drinks
Many people incorporate whey or protein powder as a means to boost protein intake throughout the day. However, the taste of protein powder without additives can cause protein powders to taste chalky or milky. Malic acid is added to these foods in order to reduce this flavor that may otherwise make these powders taste unpleasant.
Other beverages or drinks that contain malic acid include fruit-flavored milk drinks, such as strawberry-flavored milk; soy milk that incorporates malic acid; or other drinks made with fruit juice.
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