what makes sour candy sour

Sour candy gets its sour taste from acids, which are added to the candy during the manufacturing process. The most common acids used in sour candy include citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, and tartaric acid. Each of these acids provides a different level of sourness to the candy, and when mixed in the right amounts, they create the perfect sour flavor. The pH levels in the acids are high, and the higher the pH level, the more sour the candy. The coating of white powder that most sour candies have in common is the key to their flavor, and it is usually made of citric acid. Other acids, such as fumaric acid, can also be used to create a long-lasting sour flavor. Some sour candies get their tartness naturally from the fruit flavor, such as lemons, limes, raspberries, or green apples. Sour sanding, or sour sugar, is a food ingredient made from citric or tartaric acid and sugar, which is used to coat sour candies such as lemon drops and Sour Patch Kids, or to make hard candies taste tart, such as SweeTarts.