What is this white lemony-sweet powder in my pantry?

March 7, 2015 2:42 PM

I saved it in a ziploc and I put it in the "sweets and baking needs" section of my pantry. I didn't label it, which is unusual. It's not jello, it's very acidic. I would think that it's drink mix, but it's in the wrong section and in a white paper foil-lined packet. Help me out here, what else could it be?
posted by domo to Food & Drink (15 answers total)

Best answer: citric acid?
posted by Ms Vegetable at 2:44 PM on March 7, 2015 [9 favorites]

Some sort of lemon cake mix?
posted by the webmistress at 2:45 PM on March 7, 2015

Is it lemon pudding/pie filling powder? I would suggest Emergen-C, but their packets are always labeled; unlabeled packets are always part of some kind of box mix generally.
posted by majesty_snowbird at 2:46 PM on March 7, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Yes, my bet is on citric acid, a.k.a. sour salt. Have you made cheese recently? I had a cheese-making kit with citric acid in a foil packet. It's also used in some bread recipes and as an emulsifier.
posted by goingonit at 2:47 PM on March 7, 2015

some sort of meringue powder?
posted by Ms Vegetable at 2:47 PM on March 7, 2015

Best answer: Citric acid or ascorbic acid (vitamin C powder). Both are used as preservatives and antioxidants (like to prevent applesauce going brown).
posted by Pallas Athena at 2:52 PM on March 7, 2015

Best answer: Citric acid. You can make bath bombs with it!
posted by mythical anthropomorphic amphibian at 3:18 PM on March 7, 2015

Might just be powdered lemon juice
posted by fixer at 3:26 PM on March 7, 2015

Tartaric acid/cream of tartar, maybe?
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 3:43 PM on March 7, 2015

Response by poster: I'm leaning toward citric acid. I can't stop licking it. It's like sour patch candy.
posted by domo at 4:00 PM on March 7, 2015 [7 favorites]

Sour Patch candy is coated in citric acid, so sounds like you've figured it out!
posted by coppermoss at 4:59 PM on March 7, 2015 [3 favorites]

If you still think it may be a drink mix, there are cheap lemon drop mixes that come in a packet like that.
posted by frobozz at 7:48 PM on March 7, 2015

yes, would nth citric acid.
posted by gaspode at 8:16 PM on March 7, 2015

It's been a while since I've tried it straight, but I remember citric acid being 100% sour, not sweet at all.
posted by univac at 7:58 PM on March 8, 2015

Your description sounds like powdered lemonade mix to me. It would be tart, but sweet.
posted by summerstorm at 11:12 PM on March 8, 2015