Baking soda may be used together with sourdough, which is acidic, making a lighter product with a less acidic taste. The acid–base reaction can be generically represented as follows: NaHCO 3 + H + → Na + + CO 2 + H 2OĪcidic materials that induce this reaction include hydrogen phosphates, cream of tartar, lemon juice, yogurt, buttermilk, cocoa, and vinegar. When it reacts with acid, carbon dioxide is released, which causes expansion of the batter and forms the characteristic texture and grain in cakes, quick breads, soda bread, and other baked and fried foods. In cooking, baking soda is primarily used in baking as a leavening agent. The modern chemical formulas of these compounds now express their precise chemical compositions which were unknown when the name bi-carbonate of potash was coined (see also: bicarbonate). It is based on the observation that there is twice as much carbonate (CO3) per sodium in sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) as there is in sodium carbonate (Na2CO3).

The prefix bi in bicarbonate comes from an outdated naming system predating molecular knowledge. The word saleratus, from Latin sal æratus (meaning 'aerated salt'), was widely used in the 19th century for both sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. Abbreviated colloquial forms such as sodium bicarb, bicarb soda, bicarbonate, and bicarb are common. The term baking soda is more common in the United States, while bicarbonate of soda is more common in Australia, United Kingdom and Ireland. Nomenclature īecause it has long been known and widely used, the salt has many different names such as baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, and bicarbonate of soda and can often be found near baking powder in stores.

It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs. It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda ( sodium carbonate). Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline, but often appears as a fine powder. It is a salt composed of a sodium cation ( Na +) and a bicarbonate anion ( HCO 3 −).

Sodium bicarbonate ( IUPAC name: sodium hydrogencarbonate ), commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO 3. Cupcakes baked with baking soda as a raising agent

Natron powder