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Which kitchen tool is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of food?

  1. Thermometer

  2. pH meter

  3. Refractometer

  4. Caliper

The correct answer is: pH meter

A pH meter is specifically designed to measure the acidity or alkalinity of substances, including food. It provides a precise numerical value representing the pH level, which indicates how acidic or basic a food item is. This measurement is critical in culinary contexts, especially for preserving food (as acidity can affect microbial growth), adjusting flavor profiles, and executing certain recipes where specific pH levels are necessary for chemical reactions, such as in baking or fermentation. In contrast, a thermometer measures temperature, which is essential for cooking but does not provide information regarding acidity or alkalinity. A refractometer measures the concentration of solutes in a liquid, typically used to assess sugar content in solutions, while a caliper is a tool used to measure dimensions or thickness, unrelated to pH measurements. Thus, the pH meter stands out as the relevant tool for assessing acidity or alkalinity in food.