John Myers
What is baking soda? Easily explained
Baking soda is short for sodium bicarbonate. The chemical name hides a naturally occurring salt.
- Today, baking soda is mostly chemically manufactured. It can be bought under the names soda, cooking soda, baking soda or cooking soda.
- Soda is used, for example, as a leavening agent or in fizzy drinks, but also in cleaning agents or cosmetics.
- When baking soda is heated, it breaks down into soda ash and carbon dioxide. During baking, the gas causes the dough to rise.
- CO2 is also released in water in combination with an acid, for example citric acid. It can then be used as an abrasive.
- The properties mentioned make baking soda versatile in the household. For example, you can use it as a substitute for yeast or baking powder, as a rust remover or to soften water.
