Grocery
Baking Soda for Cooking and Cleaning
What it is
This is a common household ingredient, a fine white powder. It is a leavening agent used in baking. It is also a mild abrasive and deodorizer. It is often found in the baking aisle of grocery stores. It comes in a box or a shaker container.
How people cook with it
Baking soda has many uses in the kitchen and around the house. It can be used for cooking and cleaning.
- Leavening baked goods
- Deodorizing refrigerators
- Scrubbing sinks
- Soaking vegetables
In baking, it reacts with acidic ingredients like buttermilk or vinegar to produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas causes doughs and batters to rise, creating a lighter texture. It can also be dissolved in water to create a paste for cleaning. This paste can be used to gently scrub surfaces without scratching. It is also effective at absorbing odors when left in an open container.
How it differs from similar foods
Compared to baking powder, baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder contains both baking soda and an acid, along with a filler like cornstarch. Baking soda requires an acidic ingredient to activate its leavening properties, while baking powder is a complete leavening system.
Who it is for
Home cooks and bakers use baking soda regularly for its versatile properties.
How to keep the rest
Store baking soda in a cool, dry place. Keep the container tightly closed to prevent it from absorbing moisture or odors from the air. If it becomes clumpy, it may have absorbed moisture and its leavening power might be reduced.