Sour

Sour taste causes salivation and our teeth and gums tingle through sour taste. 

Attributes:

• Is hot and oily. ²
• Is light ¹

Potency: Hot Potency ¹

Post-Digestive Taste: Sour Vipaka ¹

Elements associated ¹:

• Earth
• Fire

Seasons to consume Sour Foods ³:

• Pre-winter and winter
• Monsoon

Relationship with Malas (waste): Helps in excretion of waste products. ¹

Categorisation on the basis of digestion: Vidahi ¹ (causes excessive thirst, acidity and heartburn)

Physical Features ²:

• Fortify and strengthen the heart. ¹
• Energizes the body. ¹
• Strengthens sensory organs. ¹
• Good for digestion.
• Relieves burning sensations.
• Satiating.
• Moistens.
• Helps in cleaning of bladder and colon. ¹
• Hastens waste elimination. ¹
• Nourishes.
• Aids circulation.
• Aids all tissues except reproductive tissues.
• Maintains acidity. 
   

Mental Features:

Each of the six tastes produces or enhances a certain emotion when eaten. The emotion associated with sour taste is envy.  ²

• Awakens the mind and senses.

If it is consumed in excess, it becomes a cause of:

• Being Overweight
• Sensitivity in teeth ¹
• Loss of strength
• Itching irritation
• Pale skin
• Dermatological diseases ¹
  Swellings in weak person ¹
• Dizziness ¹
• Blackouts or darkness before eyes ¹
• Burning sensation in throat, heart and chest ¹
• Fevers 
• Has the most negative effect on liver.

Who should refrain from consuming sour foods: ¹

People suffering from:

• Skin diseases
• Trauma
• Bronchial asthma
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Joint pain
• Feeble and emaciated persons
• Those whose diet lacks oily foods

Foods that are sour but don't have negative effects associated with those  ¹:

• Pomegranate or dried pomegranate seeds
• Indian gooseberry

References:

1. A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda - Acharya Balakrishna
2. The Ayurvedic Encyclopedia - Natural secrets to healing, prevention and longevity - Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha
3. Bhojanakuthalam - Pg 484