Over the past month or so, I’ve been on a tear to discover all I can about citric acid. What I’ve learned, tested and tried is nothing short of amazing. So get ready as I lay out the case for adding ...

Whenever I can’t quite figure out what a dish needs, the answer is usually acid. It simultaneously intensifies and balances flavors like nothing else—even when you can’t immediately tell it’s there.

Paola Velez shares her tips for working with this game-changing ingredient. Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in citrus fruits, as well as other produce. It has a sour flavor — which is why ...