What is the difference between baking soda and baking powder?

Baking soda, baking soda, baking soda, baking powder and baking powder: these terms are regularly sprinkled in today’s baking recipes. Anyone who bakes regularly will probably also have a bag of baking powder and a cardboard box with baking soda in stock. But what exactly is the difference? Can you replace one with the other? And how long does baking soda actually keep?

The difference between baking soda and baking powder

Baking soda, baking soda, baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a natural mineral used as a leavening agent. It does have a small manual: only when baking soda is combined with acid, it does its job. Think of lemon juice, lemon zest, vinegar, buttermilk, tartaric acid or yogurt, but you can also use cocoa powder, honey and caster sugar as a sour.

Baking powder is also used as a leavening agent, but it no longer needs that acid. This is because the acid has already been added here. Baking powder consists of sodium bicarbonate, which is baking soda, mixed with an acid (such as tartaric acid) and a stabilizer (cornstarch). Baking powder only does its job when the powder comes into contact with heat and moisture.

It is not the case that when there is baking soda in the recipe, the baking powder is no longer needed. Sometimes there isn’t enough acid in a recipe to make the batter rise, so a pinch of baking soda is still needed.

Can you replace baking soda with baking powder?

Yes, it is possible to replace baking soda with baking powder. Keep in mind that your baking can come out of the oven for something else. If you want to replace baking soda with baking soda, you need three times as much baking soda. One teaspoon of baking soda is equivalent to three teaspoons of baking soda. Do you want to replace baking powder with baking soda? That is also possible. Then divide the amount of baking powder by three. Don’t forget to add some acid or the baking soda won’t work. Half a teaspoon of baking soda needs one teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice.

Where do you buy baking soda?

Baking powder is available in every supermarket. Baking soda used to be a little harder to get, but nowadays baking soda can be found in almost every supermarket. The store always has it on the shelf. You often buy baking soda in a cardboard package, or packed in small bags. The small bags are often a bit more expensive, so if you work with baking soda more often, such a cardboard box might be a better idea.

How long does baking soda keep?

There is of course quite a lot of baking soda in such a cardboard box. Now you can store baking soda for a very long time, but if you are in doubt about whether it still does its job, you can use this tip. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with some boiling water, vinegar or lemon juice. Is it starting to bubble? Then the baking soda is still good. If nothing happens, even after a few minutes, it’s better to replace the baking soda. If you want to know how long baking soda can be kept, you can do the same trick, but with a little baking soda and some warm water. Even if it starts to bubble, the baking powder can still be stored.

Is it healthy to drink water with baking soda every day?

There are people who swear by a glass of warm water with a pinch of baking soda on an empty stomach. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate can help with bloating and acidity in the stomach, but too much baking soda also carries the risk of stomach upset and increased blood pressure. In addition, consuming baking soda is not suitable for everyone. People with conditions such as edema, high blood pressure, liver disease or another condition should first contact their doctor to discuss whether taking baking soda can have a beneficial effect on health.