Baking powder is a processing ingredient that is no stranger to housewives. This type of flour is often added in baking recipes with the aim of creating a delicious, fluffy cake. In fact, many people still do not fully understand this powder as well as its use.
1. What is baking powder? Ingredients in baking powder
Baking powder is a dry mixture consisting of the following ingredients: Bicarbonate soda, a little starch to keep the other ingredients dry, and a few acids needed to produce carbon dioxide for yeast products. when baking.
In baking powder – Baking powder includes: cornstarch along with many other acid salts. Cornstarch is an important ingredient, plays a role in creating looseness, dryness, and helps the cake dough not to be lumpy when mixed.
Acid salts are divided into two main types of acids, namely fast-reacting acids and slow-reacting acids. This ingredient is used to create puffiness and crispiness for delicious cakes.
2. Baking powders
Currently on the market there are two main types of baking powder, including:
Double acting
This is a powder containing 1 fast reacting acid and 1 slow reacting acid. Therefore, when double acting acts on the dough, there will be a first reaction when in contact with water and a second reaction when the dough is heated in the oven .
The creation of 2 times of reaction, helps the cake to have a delicious crisp, bloom evenly and beautifully, so double acting is often chosen by many people in cake recipes.
Single acting
Unlike double acting, this powder contains only 1 type of acid, so it only has one effect when mixed with cake flour, creating a reaction at the first contact with water.
Single acting is rarely used for baking but mainly used in industry, so it is difficult to find and buy in the market.
3. Uses of baking powder for
Baking powder is widely used in the chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries. Baking powder is often used in cakes that need to be spongy, good to rise, such as: Quick breads such as Biscuits, Muffins, Scones; cakes, especially sponge cakes. In addition, there are dumplings, yeast cakes, moon cakes, some baked goods, gato cakes… With the above-mentioned ingredients such as acid salt, corn starch, baking soda, baking powder will not be toxic. with the human body.
In addition, it is also used for beauty like Baking Soda but Less commonly used (due to its acidity and higher cost than Baking Soda).
4. Is baking powder harmful?
So far, there has been no theory to prove that baking powder is harmful. Although it is a chemical, baking powder is very safe for our health if used in moderation.
When using this material, you should choose quality products, because if you use the wrong ones of poor quality or have expired, it will easily cause the body to be allergic and cause harmful effects on the system. digestive and respiratory system.
5. How to store baking powder?
To preserve baking powder, you should store the powder in a food container or glass jar , then close the lid, keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
In addition, you should avoid leaving baking powder in the refrigerator , because when taking out the steam, it will cause the dough to clump and reduce its quality.
Baking powder usually has a shelf life of about 3-6 months. Therefore, you should carefully check the shelf life before using, to ensure the quality of the food and protect your health!
Hopefully with this article, you will have more knowledge to make many delicious and quality cakes!
