Baking soda is a kitchen staple, an ingredient without which you can’t really do much when it comes to cooking and baking. Besides this, it has many different applications around the household. But what is baking soda, and how does it work?
An Ancient Substance
The history of baking soda goes back to the ancient Egyptians, who used a very similar substance to mummify the dead. Today, we use this product, technically known as sodium bicarbonate, for baking, cleaning, disinfecting, and making health remedies.
What It Is
Chemically speaking, baking soda is a base. If you mix it with vinegar (acid), it will start bubbling as a result of a chemical reaction. This reaction results in a product called carbon dioxide. When you use it for baking, the same thing happens. The recipes that include baking soda typically also include some kind of acid, such as lemon juice, yogurt, vinegar, applesauce, or honey. The reaction between the two components makes your dish rise in the oven.
Things to Avoid
Never use too much baking soda in a recipe, because if you do, it will mask all the other flavors and you’ll be left with a metallic/soapy taste. Follow the recipe for the recommended amount instead and you should get flawless results every time.
