Question

What is baking soda and baking powder chemically? What would happen if we add baking soda in making cakes instead of baking powder?

Answer 1

Baking soda is NaHCO₃– Sodium hydrogen carbonate Baking powder is NaHCO₃+ Tartaric acid. If we add baking soda in making of cakes on heating it will produces sodium carbonate which will add bitter taste to the cake. To avoid this, tartaric acid is added to baking soda which produces sodium salt of acid and does not change the taste of cake.