Is baking soda acid or base? Answered

Have you imagined why your muffins rise and made as fluffy? It is due to adding white powder while mixing batter for muffins. Have you heard of baking soda? The white powder that we have used while baking muffins. But, there is confusion between whether all of us weather is baking soda acid or base or is acidic or basic?

Don’t worry; we have done some research, and we will look whether soda is acid or base?

First we will learn about baking soda and it’s combination.

What is baking soda? Acid or base?

Baking soda has a chemical name known as sodium bicarbonate. Its chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. It is a white crystalline powder used as a leavening agent in baked goods like cookies, biscuits & cakes.

Baking soda is made from sodium carbonate & manufactured by passing carbon dioxide through a saturated sodium carbonate solution in water.

Na₂CO₃ +CO₂ +H₂O→2NaHCO₃

Heat may also cause sodium bicarbonate to act as a raising agent in baking by releasing carbon dioxide during thermal decomposition at temperatures above 80°C.

2 NaHCO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + H₂O + CO₂

How baking soda works?

​When we add baking soda while mixing the batter and at the time of baking this baking soda becomes activated and start reacting with acid.

Combining baking soda with acid produces carbon dioxide gas almost instantly. Allows the batter to expand, forming the distinctive texture that makes it tender and supports browning. Baking soda is four times more effective than baking powder.

Upon activation, this baking soda produces carbon dioxide, allowing baked goods to rise and become fluffy and light.

So here comes the question.

Is baking soda acid or base?

Baking soda is base, with a pH of 8.5 to 9. Having Alkali nature makes baking soda basic. Baking soda is an alkaline substance

Baking soda has an odourless, slightly acidic, salty flavour. At room temperature, a 1 per cent molar solution of baking soda in water has a pH of 8.4 to 9. This number signifies that baking soda is alkaline, which explains why it has such a bitter taste. 

Is baking soda & Baking powder same?

No, Baking soda contained in baking powder. Baking soda, cream of tartar (a dry acid), and sometimes corn-starch are used to make it.

This suggests that the first leavening happens when baking powder is warm, such as when the dry and wet ingredients of a recipe are combined. When the baking powder heated, the second leavening happens. Baking powder is most widely used when a recipe does not call for an extra acidic ingredient because it already contains an acid to neutralise the baking soda.

Apart from use of baking soda in baking, It also used in different uses such as:

• As a natural deodorizer, Baking soda and water can be used to make a non-abrasive cleaning solution.
• To help ease heartburn.
• Freshening The Air