Why is lime juice sour to the taste?

The sour taste of lime juice is due to the presence of citric acid. Citric acid is a weak organic acid that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits like limes. It is a colourless, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. Citric acid has a sour taste and is used as a flavouring agent in food and beverages. It is also used as a preservative and an antioxidant.

When you taste lime juice, the citric acid molecules interact with the taste receptors on your tongue. These receptors send signals to your brain, which interprets them as the sensation of sourness. The sourness of lime juice can range from mild to intense, depending on the concentration of citric acid.

In addition to citric acid, lime juice also contains other organic acids, such as malic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). These acids also contribute to the sour taste of lime juice, but to a lesser extent than citric acid.

The sour taste of lime juice can be used to balance out the sweetness of other ingredients in food and beverages. For example, lime juice is often added to sweet desserts, such as pies and cakes, to give them a more refreshing flavour. Lime juice is also used to make sour cocktails, such as margaritas and mojitos.

If you do not like the sour taste of lime juice, you can reduce it by adding sweeteners, such as sugar or honey. You can also dilute lime juice with water or other liquids to make it less sour.