Baking Soda 100g

Baking soda 100g

Sodium bicarbonate: an indispensable helper for your baked goods

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium carbonate, is used as a leavening agent for the preparation of cakes, breads (such as Soda Bread) and pastries. During baking, the bicarbonate reacts with other acidic ingredients in the recipe. The carbon dioxide released during this process loosens the dough and gives the baked goods a light, airy texture. Acidic ingredients that trigger this reaction include tartaric acid, lemon juice, yoghurt, buttermilk, cocoa and honey.

Sodium bicarbonate can also be used as a substitute for baking powder, provided the recipe contains enough acidic ingredients to activate the reaction. In fact, most baking powders contain sodium bicarbonate combined with tartaric acid for this reason.

How to use baking soda in baking

Baking soda takes effect as soon as it meets an acidic ingredient in the moist dough. For this reason, it is best to first mix the powder with the dry ingredients such as flour, and only then add the liquid, acidic components such as buttermilk, yoghurt or lemon juice. Baking soda pairs particularly well with recipes that naturally contain acidity: chocolate cake with cocoa, honey biscuits, muffins with buttermilk or the classic Soda Bread.

A little baking soda, a splash of buttermilk, and your baked goods will rise light and airy in the oven.