fruit fresh (citric acid for canning/preserving)

[ifotismeni]

Hi Davis neighbors! I don't live in the Davis area anymore (have crossed over the river to Boston, alas) but the foodie circle in Davis I'm sure can help me out here.

I am looking for food-grade citric acid (Fruit Fresh being one of them) you can use to preserve tomatoes in hot water canning. Does anyone know if Tags has this specifically or if another store in the area does?

All I have near me is an Economy True Value, though they do have canning supplies I don't believe they have this specific item.

(And I know I could use lemon juice but I am not sure I'd want lemony tomatoes.)

[edit] This community is THE BEST. Thank you so much for your help!

Comments

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Tags is one of the few stores I expect to actually be helpful on the phone: (617) 868-7711.

Good luck!

[ifotismeni]

ah, that's a good point. thank you!

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

Harvest coop def used to have it in the bulk section (haven't checked in forever)
Most Indian markets usually have it (used to make paneer)

[rosiewoodboat.livejournal.com]

Note that it is often called "sour salt" or nimbu sat in Indian markets.

[ifotismeni]

thank you! that is really good to know, especially if i want to make paneer in future (and i do!)

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

by the way, I pay $1 for a 6oz bag of citric acid from India Market in Waltham (I've seen other places charge $5 for a wee spice bottle of it)

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Specifically, Tags does, as we got some there two weeks ago.

[jadelennox]

yeah, I saw it there over the weekend.

[jadelennox]

that said, I don't know if you've tried and rejected lemon juice for your hot water bath canning, but it's what I use (1 tablespoon per pint), and I can't taste the lemon juice at all. So if you've never tried it, give it a shot.

(then again, I have a reputation for loving acid in my food.)

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

This, too. I have not tasted the lemon in my tomatoes.

[ifotismeni]

awesome!!! thank you!

[yagagriswold.livejournal.com]

The Modern Brewer has had it in the past.

[curiositykt.livejournal.com]

I got mine at Christina's Spice & Specialty Foods - Inman Square

[read-w.livejournal.com]

"Sour salt" is also eastern European/Ashkenazi, so markets with those specialties would probably also have it.