In layman's terms, what are the "jobs" of baking powder and baking soda?!


Question: In layman's terms, what are the "jobs" of baking powder and baking soda!?
What does each do to whatever it is you are baking, and what would happen if they are omitted from the recipe!?

I use them all the time, but have no idea what they do!.Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
Baking powder is a raising agent so it makes thing rise - makes sure they are light and not heavy like a brick!!
It's made from 2 parts cream of tartare and 1 part baking soda!. Together, in the presence of heat, they give off carbon dioxide!.

Baking soda, also called bicarbonate of soda, is an alkali which also givens off carbon dioxide when heated!. It's generally used to neutralise something very acid, It can't be used in place of baking powder!. Too much baking soda leaves a soapy aftertaste, so I do sometimes leave it out or reduce it in recipes!.
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Baking powder breaks down the gluten in wheat!. The baking soda activates the baking powder so it can do its job!. Once the gluten is broken down into simpler amino acids, the powder and soda create a chemical reaction and release carbon dioxide (Co2) which provides a "rising" effect, much the same way as yeast reacts to simple sugars in food!.
That "chemical reaction" is what makes grandmaw's biscuits so puffy and light!.
**Good life through good chemistry**Www@FoodAQ@Com

They create a gaseous effervesance that causes the dough to rise during bakingWww@FoodAQ@Com

One puffs up, the other puffs out, although I can never remember which is which!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Their jobs is LEVENING! Making things rise!.!.!.So you take a batter and it rises UP! Not just stay flat, like a tortilla!Www@FoodAQ@Com





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