what is the difference between baking soda and baking powder.

[guilliebrougues]

Hi Folks I have come across recipes that call for baking soda.
the question is -do they mean bicarbonate of soda or baking powder. If it is baking soda where can I get it.

[HowardKennitby]

Baking soda = sodium bicarbonate
Should be available in most supermarkets in the baking section

[Old_Geezer]

http://chemistry.abou...mistry/f/blbaking.htm

[heathfield]

Any supermarket will have both. Baking powder is cornflour with a small proportion on bicarbonate of soda included. This makes it easier to measure than the very small amounts of straight bicarb you might use instead.

[guilliebrougues]

Thanks to you both , Howardkennitby and Old Geezer for your help.
I have got both bicarbonate of soda and baking powder in stock. I used baking powder the other day in a recipe and it was not as nice, as the time i used bicar. mind you, the recipe did say baking soda, so this is why i needed to query this.

[guilliebrougues]

Thank you heathfield for you answer. The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of baking soda.

[woofgang]

not quite correct heathfield
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/baking_powder

[heathfield]

Oops, yes, Woofie. Forgot the about the Cream of Tartar. Doh!

[gingejbee]

Baking soda is the non-chemical name for sodium bicarbonate.
Baking powder is a mixture of an acid (tartaric acid) and the above sodium bicarbonate which when wetted and heated releases carbon dioxide. It can be added to plain flour to make it "self-raising".