What is the difference between the Baking Powder and Baking Soda.?!


Question:

What is the difference between the Baking Powder and Baking Soda.?

What is the difference between Baking Powder and Baking Soda? .I believe chemically, they are both calcium bicarbonate. But some recipes require use of both simultaneously, like "use one teaspoon of baking powder and one teaspoon of baking soda". Why can't we use just two teaspoons of only one either baking powder or baking soda?


Answers:
Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder has sodium bicarbonate, cream of tartar, and usually starch.

Source(s):
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/foodchemis...

Sodium bicarbonate is the chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3

Baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent used in baking and deodorizing. There are several formulations; all contain an alkali, typically sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and an acid in the form of salt crystals, together with starch dioxide gas, which expands existing bubbles to leaven the mixture.

Baking powder is generally just baking soda mixed with an acid, and a number of kitchen acids may be mixed with baking soda to simulate commercial blends of baking powder

Here ya go:

They are not exactly the same substance.

For cooking, there is an excellent explanation here:

http://kitchensavvy.typepad.com/journal/...

Baking soda is calcium bicarb. Baking powder is baking soda plus acidic ingredients. Baking soda is used when the acidity of the "batter" will cause the chemical reaction releasing the CO2 gas to cause leavening. Baking powder is used when the "batter" is not acidic enough to activate baking soda. The added acidic ingredients will activate the soda in the powder.

Baking powder is used as rising
Baking Soda is used to bring out the flavors




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