BIcarbonate of soda / baking powder

[doglady]

What's the difference between bicarbonate of soda and baking powder?

I was making a honey and ginger cake yesterday, out of the River Cottage Family Cookbook, and it said to use Bicarbonate of Soda. I didn't have any, but it did say elsewhere in the book that baking powder is bicarb mixed with something else. So I used my baking powder. It rose OK, but I wasn't sure if it should have risen more, or whether bicarb and baking powder are interchangeable.

It was yummy anyway. I've brought some to work and everybody loves it.

Thanks for your help

xx

[Clanad]

Check here for in-depth explanation:
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/foodchemistry/f/blbaking.htm