Baking Soda

[MisterMan]

I have never looked for it but I want some baking soda.. where can I get it? What is it called?

Seems to be a good cleaning agent as I want to stop using toxic cleaners and be a bit more green........

[surayu]

I have never looked for it but I want some baking soda.. where can I get it? What is it called?

Seems to be a good cleaning agent as I want to stop using toxic cleaners and be a bit more green........

Yes, last time i saw bicarbonate of soda at Villa Market in BKK, check on the shelf were you can find other home baking ingredients, cheers.

[rohitsuk]

I have never looked for it but I want some baking soda.. where can I get it? What is it called?

Seems to be a good cleaning agent as I want to stop using toxic cleaners and be a bit more green........

Big C sell it for baht 9 for a small bag and it is where you would expect to find it amongst the flour and baking aids and it is called, you guessed - baking soda !!!

[pagallim]

Yes, easily available. Go to the baking section of either Tops in Central, or Villa Market at Chalong Home Pro village. I first got some a few months ago as it's useful in controlling mildew on plants when mixed with water. Also available (at least at Villa Market) is bicarbonate of soda (got some last week for my first effort at making sticky toffee puddings!).

[MisterMan]

9 baht? woo hoo..

Isnt Bicarbonate of soda the same thing?

[pagallim]

9 baht? woo hoo..

Isnt Bicarbonate of soda the same thing?

Apparently not. Normally it's called Baking Powder, with Bicarbonate of Soda being different (I'm no baker though!).

[Boksida]

9 baht? woo hoo..

Isnt Bicarbonate of soda the same thing?

Apparently not. Normally it's called Baking Powder, with Bicarbonate of Soda being different (I'm no baker though!).

I've always thought Baking Soda is Bicarbonate of Soda. Baking Powder is a mixture of baking soda, starch, and at least one slightly acidic compound such as cream of tartar that works as a leavening agent in baking by releasing carbon dioxide when mixed with a liquid, such as milk or water.

[pagallim]

9 baht? woo hoo..

Isnt Bicarbonate of soda the same thing?

Apparently not. Normally it's called Baking Powder, with Bicarbonate of Soda being different (I'm no baker though!).

I've always thought Baking Soda is Bicarbonate of Soda. Baking Powder is a mixture of baking soda, starch, and at least one slightly acidic compound such as cream of tartar that works as a leavening agent in baking by releasing carbon dioxide when mixed with a liquid, such as milk or water.

Baking soda, bicarb soda, baking powder - what's the difference?

Question

What is the difference between baking powder, baking soda and bicarbonate of soda? What are their different applications?

Answer

Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are different names for the same thing; in Australia, we mostly refer to it as bicarbonate of soda, but overseas, especially in America, it is referred to as baking soda. They aren't interchangeable, but bicarbonate of soda and baking powder are both leavening agents. When included in a batter, the leavening agent causes air bubbles (produced by stirring, whipping or beating) to expand when cooked – causing it to 'rise'.

Bicarbonate of soda is a pure leavening agent. It needs to be mixed with moisture and an acidic ingredient for the necessary chemical reaction to take place to make food rise. Because it needs an acid to create the rising quality, it is often used in recipes where there is already an acidic ingredient present, such as lemon juice, chocolate, buttermilk or honey.

Baking powder, which contains bicarbonate of soda, comes pre-mixed with the acidic ingredient for you – so all you need to add is the moisture. The acidic ingredient most often used in baking powder is cream of tartar. You can make your own baking powder: simply mix two parts cream of tartar with one part bicarbonate of soda. Baking powder has a neutral taste and is often used in recipes that have other neutral-tasting ingredients, such as milk.

In Australia, we usually just cook with self-raising flour when a leavening agent is required, unless the specific qualities of bicarbonate of soda are required. Bicarbonate of soda imparts a slightly different quality to that of baking powder when used in cooking. It can have a slightly "tangy" taste and it makes a lovely golden colour. It also makes a very specific texture not achievable with baking powder. It is very important to sift bicarbonate of soda well as it gets lumpy and to use very exact measures as the "tangy" taste can quite easily become bitter or soapy if too much is used.