sprinklefingers

yesterday i made you a promise. that i’d come back here and explain how you can go about testing your baking soda and baking powder for freshness.

and here i am to do just that.

baking soda
pour a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice over 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. if it bubbles like crazy, it’s fresh. very little to no bubbling means you should treat yourself to a fresh box. [yes, you did just create your own mini-volcano, just like in primary school. or junior high, depending.]

baking powder
mix one teaspoon of baking powder into a 1/3 cup hot water. if it bubbles like crazy, it’s fresh. very little to no bubbling means you should get yourself to the market and buy new baking powder.

the bottom line:
if your soda or powder is not fresh enough to cause bubbling in these simple tests, then there is no way either will be able to provide the appropriate bubbling action that causes your baked goods to rise. adding additional soda or powder won’t magically make it more bubbly, so don’t even try it.

chemical reactions are neat.