TARTARIC ACID

The acid of tartar. This acid Is contained in grape juice, and in tamarinds and several other fruits. It is usually obtained from purified tartar: 4 parts of powdered tartar and 1 of chalk are mixed in hot water, and the white powder which subsides (tartrate of lime) is de composed by dilute sulphuric acid, which combines with the lime to form sulphate of lime, and the tartaric acid [s. 1230]