acidify
uh-SID-ih-fy
/əˈsɪd.ɪ.faɪ/
To make something acidic, or to increase its acidity, often to preserve food by creating an environment hostile to pathogens.
Acidify can refer to both manual addition of acids (like lemon juice) or biological processes (like lactic acid bacteria producing acid).
The story behind the word. Formed by combining the Latin 'acidus' (sharp, sour) with the suffix '-fy' (from 'facere', meaning to make or do). Literally, to acidify is 'to make sour'.
Word relationships
- sour: 'Sour' is a sensory term for taste, while 'acidify' is a chemical term for lowering pH.
- alkalize: 'Alkalize' means to raise the pH and make a substance basic, the exact chemical opposite of acidifying.
Commonly confused with
- neutralize: 'Neutralize' means to bring the pH close to 7 (neutral), whereas 'acidify' drives the pH down into the acidic range.
Word family
- acidification (noun): The process of becoming or making acidic.
- acidity (noun): The level of acid in a substance.
Collocations
- acidify the mixture
- naturally acidify
- acidify with vinegar
Example sentences
- "You must acidify tomatoes with bottled lemon juice before canning them to ensure the pH drops below 4.6." A safety instruction for home canning.
- "As the bacteria consume lactose, they produce lactic acid and acidify the milk, causing the curds to separate from the whey." An explanation of cheese chemistry.
Memory hook
Acidify ends in '-fy', which means 'to make'. So, acidify is simply 'to make acid'. Acidify the pot to stop the rot.
When not to use
Do not use when simply adding sour flavor without changing the overall pH significantly.
Fun facts
- Ocean acidification, caused by excess carbon dioxide dissolving in seawater, makes it difficult for oysters and corals to build their protective shells.
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