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Are lemons acidic?

Published in Food science 1 min read

Yes, lemons are acidic.

Lemons have a distinctly sour taste due to their high citric acid content, which is what makes them acidic. The acidity of a substance is measured by its pH level. A pH of 7 is neutral, values less than 7 are acidic, and values greater than 7 are alkaline (or basic).

Lemon juice typically has a pH between 2 and 3. This low pH indicates a high level of acidity, meaning lemon juice is between 10,000 and 100,000 times more acidic than pure water, which has a pH of 7.

Here's a simple breakdown:

  • What makes lemons acidic? Citric acid.
  • What is pH? A measure of acidity.
  • Lemon juice pH: Between 2 and 3.
  • Meaning: Highly acidic.

The acidic nature of lemons explains their use in cooking, cleaning, and as a preservative, all of which are related to the properties of acids.

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