Tartaric acid crystals are colorless, transparent and odorless with acidic taste. Soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. Tartaric Acid is derived by extraction from argol -- a sediment in wine vats. This is a stock chemical.
Important derivatives of tartaric acid include its salts, cream of tartar (potassium hydrogen tartrate), Rochelle salt (potassium sodium tartrate, a mild laxative) and tartar emetic (antimony potassium tartrate). It is added to many foods to give a sour taste snd as an antioxidant.
Used in photography (printing and developing; light-sensitive iron salts).
Click to see how Tartaric Acid is used in our formulas for Photographic Van Dyke Brown Process.