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1. Citric Acid is a weak organic acid, its molecular formula is C6H8O7

2. Lemons and limes have particularly high concentrations of the acid; it can constitute as much as 8% of the dry weight of these fruits.

3. At room temperature, citric acid is a white crystalline powder, you can buy it from cookery or brewing supplies shops.

4. Commercially produced citric acid is mainly used for preserving soft fruit drinks, and in home wine making.

5. Citric acid is used as a flavoring in many preparations of Vitamin C.

6. It is a natural preservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks, for example in elderflower cordial.

7. It is denoted by E number E330

8. Citric acid is the active ingredient in some bathroom and kitchen cleaning solutions. A solution with a 6% concentration of citric acid will remove hard water stains from glass without scrubbing.

9. Industrial-scale citric acid production began in 1890 based on the Italian citrus fruit industry.

10. Most citric acid is now produced by feeding sugar to Aspergillus niger bacteria.