Final answer:
Acidified foods are those items to which large amounts of acid, such as citric or acetic acid, are added either for preserving food or imparting tart flavor. These acids contribute to the sour taste found in several food products and can also help in food preservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When large amounts of acid are added to foods, they can be referred to as acidified foods. These foods usually include acidic ingredients to enhance their tart flavor or to preserve them. Common acids used in the food industry include citric acid, found in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, which is also added to candies for a sour taste, and acetic acid, which gives vinegar its distinctive flavor. Additionally, lactic acid bacteria ferment milk into yogurt and vegetables into pickles, thriving at a lower pH level that contributes to the tangy taste of products like sauerkraut and pico de gallo. Ethanoic and citric acids are frequently added to foods, while benzoic, propanoic, and sorbic acids serve as food preservatives.