Finishing
Acid Balance Finish
Add vinegar or citrus in the last few seconds. A heavy dish suddenly tastes lighter.
Key Points
Add it off the heat, never during cooking. Start with three drops for two servings. Taste before you add any more.
Common Failures
Adding acid while the pot boils drives the aroma off and leaves only sourness. Too much flattens the salt and the dish tastes thin.
Do this
Turn off the heat. Add a few drops of rice vinegar or a squeeze of lemon. Stir once and taste immediately.
Why it works
Acid resets the tongue between bites. It does not remove fat. It just stops the fat from covering everything else.
When to skip it
Skip it in a dish that already has tomato, yoghurt, or pickles. The acid is already there and more turns it sour.
