Baking Soda Definition
Baking soda is a chemical substance that is a salt composed of sodium and bicarbonate ions, primarily used as a leavening agent in baking.
- The chemical name of the substance is sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate with the chemical formula, NaHCO3.
- Baking soda is a solid white crystalline compound that exists as a fine powder. It is an odorless compound that is slightly salty in taste.
- Baking soda is a simple chemical compound that is composed of a single compound and doesn’t have other substances.
- It doesn’t have any acidifying or drying agents and is involved in the expansion of the batter resulting in the characteristic spongy texture in cakes and bread.
- The sodium bicarbonate undergoes thermal decomposition to release sodium carbonate, water, and carbon dioxide.
- Baking soda has weak disinfectant properties and is also used as an effective fungicide against some microorganisms.
Baking Powder Definition
Baking powder is a chemical substance composed of a mixture of carbonate or bicarbonate and a weak acid.
- The reaction between the acid and base present in the mixture is prevented by the addition of a buffer in the form of cornstarch.
- The cornstarch also works as a drying agent, whereas the cream of tartar works as an acidifying agent. Other compounds like monocalcium phosphate and sodium aluminum sulfate can also be used as the acidifying agent.
- Baking powder is also used in baking to increase the volume and lighten the texture of baked goods.
- Baking powder can also be used in the place of yeast, where the flavor of fermentation is undesirable.
- Baking powder also releases carbon dioxide at a faster rate through the acid-base reaction than through fermentation.
- Therefore, the production of baking powder has been revolutionary in minimizing the time and labor required for the production of baking goods.
10 Major Differences (Baking Soda vs Baking Powder)
| Characteristics | Baking Soda | Baking Powder |
| Definition | Baking soda is a chemical substance that is a salt composed of sodium and bicarbonate ions, primarily used as a leavening agent in baking. | Baking powder is a chemical substance composed of a mixture of carbonate or bicarbonate and a weak acid. |
| Composition | Baking soda is a pure substance composed of sodium bicarbonate. | Baking powder is a mixture of chemical substances like sodium bicarbonate, cream of tartar, and cornstarch. |
| Acidifying agent | Baking soda doesn’t have any acidifying agents. | Baking powder contains an acidifying agent, which can be cream of tartar or a mixture of monocalcium phosphate and sodium aluminum sulfate. |
| Drying agent | Baking soda doesn’t have any drying agent. | Baking powder contains cornstarch as a drying agent. |
| In baking | During baking, the product should be baked immediately after the addition of baking soda. | The product can be kept for some time before baking after the addition of baking powder. |
| Baking soda results in the spread of the product during baking. | Baking powder results in the puffing of the product during baking. | |
| Baking Time | Baking soda requires a shorter baking time. | Baking powder requires a longer baking time. |
| Ingredients | Baking soda is used with acidic ingredients like buttermilk and lemon juice. | Baking powder is used with non-acidic ingredients like regular milk and flour. |
| Activated By | Baking soda is activated by heat which causes the thermal decomposition of the compound to release carbon dioxide. | Baking powder is usually activated by liquid, but double-acting baking powder might require heat. |
| Other uses | Baking soda can be used for cleaning or as a neutralizing salt. | Baking powder is strictly used for baking. |
References and Sources
- 4% – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baking_powder
- 2% – https://anybodycanbake.com/difference-baking-soda-and-baking-powder/
- 1% – https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-cream-of-tartar-607381
- 1% – https://www.thoughtco.com/baking-soda-chemical-formula-608474
- 1% – https://www.numerade.com/questions/baking-soda-sodium-bicarbonate-undergoes-thermal-decomposition-as-follows-2-mathrmnahco_3s-rightleft/
- 1% – https://www.browneyedbaker.com/baking-soda-vs-baking-powder/
- 1% – https://wikimili.com/en/Sodium_bicarbonate
- 1% – https://urbansurvivalsite.com/20-uses-for-baking-soda/
- 1% – https://sciencetrends.com/examples-of-chemical-compounds-in-science/
- 1% – https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060728100729AAPy5bT