Baking Soda and Baking Powder what's the difference?

[Blondie1925]

Understanding the difference should help me decide which to employ within a recipe.

 

[Magick]

Baking powder:

is a leavening agent which consists of a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, one or more leavening agents such as sodium aluminum phosphate or mono calcium phosphate, and an inert material such as starch. The inert material keeps the reactive components physically separated and minimizes premature reaction. It should yield not less than 12% of available carbon dioxide.

baking soda:

is a bicarbonate of soda, chemically known as sodium bicarbonate. It liberates carbon dioxide, a leavening gas, when heated or mixed with an acid. It is a component of baking powder and is used as a leavening agent.

 

[lotus_of_peace]

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 actually contains baking soda, but the two substances are used under different conditions.

Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate.
Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate, but it includes the acidifying agent already (cream of tartar), and also a drying agent (usually starch).

Both can be used for the same propose in cooking and baking.

 

[Kitty]

Baking Powder and Baking Soda(sodium bicarbonate) are leavening agents. Both of them can perform a similar function but baking soda is capable of doing much more. such as being used as an antacid, bushing and whitening teeth or even cleaning stains out of plastic.