Sour

Sour describes a taste that is sharp, tangy, and acidity-driven, like biting into a lemon or tasting vinegar. It results from the presence of acids—such as citric acid in citrus fruits or acetic acid in vinegar—that stimulate the sour taste buds on the tongue. This flavor profile can add brightness and balance to foods, enhancing sweetness or richness. In culinary uses, sourness can be natural, from the fruit or fermentation, or added through ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar. It’s a fundamental taste that plays a key role in creating complex, harmonious flavors in a variety of dishes.