Sunday, June 6, 2010

What is the Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder?

Baking soda and baking powder are used for cooking. Both products produce carbon dioxide and cause the food to rise. They are both almost the same and baking powder contains baking soda.

The soda is made up of pure sodium bicarbonate, while the powder contains some amount of sodium bicarbonate. When baking soda is added to any food, it leads to the formation of carbon dioxide bubbles and helps in baking it well. It has an instant reaction. It is mostly combined with yogurt, chocolate, buttermilk or honey.

Apart from containing sodium bicarbonate, the powder also contains an acidifying agent such as cream of tartar and a drying agent such as starch. Two kinds of baking powder are available -- first is a single acting powder which is activated by moisture, and the second is a double acting powder which reacts in two phases.

Both products are used in different recipes. Depending upon the recipes, these two have to be used. But both have a single motto which is to add taste to the food and bring about an attractive texture. If baking soda is used alone, it will produce a bitter taste. So, it should be mixed with buttermilk. Baking powder contains acid as well as base and on the whole it has neutral taste. Baking powder is mainly used in making cakes and biscuits.

The powder can be substituted for the soda. However, it is not vice versa. There is need to increase the amount of the powder when it is used instead of the soda. The soda does not contain the necessary acid to cause the cake or bread to rise.

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