Question

What is the difference between baking soda and baking powder?

Answer 1

Both baking soda and baking powder are leavening agents, which means they are added to baked goods before cooking to produce carbon dioxide and cause them to 'rise'. Baking powder contains baking soda also.

Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate. When baking soda is combined with moisture and an acidic ingredient (e.g., yogurt, chocolate, buttermilk, honey), the resulting chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide  dioxide that expand under oven temperatures, causing baked goods to rise.


Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate, but it includes the acidifying agent which is cream of tartar and also a drying agent like starch.

Baking soda is basic and will yield a bitter taste. Baking powder contains both an acid and a base and has an overall neutral effect in terms of taste.