How to Buy Citric Acid

Yum! But where to get the ingredients???

So you're making homemade mozzarella cheese and you need citric acid? Tracking it down might be a little bit trickier than you'd think. Citric acid is essential to some home cheesemaking recipes...but try asking for it at your local Cub Foods, and you're likely to get a blank stare. Here's where to get some.

Things You'll Need

• internet connection

Instructions

1. 

   If you're not familiar with your local co-op scene, hop online and get to know it! Try doing a google search for co-op grocery stores in your area. Once you find one, give them a call and see if they stock citric acid for cheesemaking. If they do, you're in luck - head on over!

2. 

   Found a co-op, but they're all out? Given the growing popularity of home cheesemaking, don't be totally stunned if the shop's stores are depleted. But don't dispair - head to the bulk spices department and ask the staff there if they can special order your acid for you asap - or find out when the next shipment's due.

3. 

   If your local co-op doesn't carry citric acid at all or the staff has no idea what you're talking about, head for the co-op's bulletin board. This is a place where customers can request items that the shop doesn't currently carry. These boards are a great, anonymous way of notifying management that they're missing something important on their shelves. So exercise your voice - go request citric acid yourself!

4. 

   If you've got a little time on your hands before you plan to try cheesemaking, visit www.cheesemaking.com. This awesome supply company out of Ashfield, MA will ship you citric acid in 8oz packets - more than enough for at least eight batches of homemade mozzarella. My citric acid supply shipped a day after I ordered it, and I got it in under five days!

Resources

• New England Cheesemaking Supply Company