For nerds like me, this article "What is cream of tartar?" talks a little more about the history and chemistry behind the cooking applications of cream of tartar.
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Elizabeth
Friday, May 31, 2013
An old-fashioned baking ingredient
Browsing the Little House Cookbook, I noticed something intriguing in the introduction to Chapter 8 "Thirst Quenchers and Treats". In the cookbook, Barbara M. Walker not only included authentic recipes from Laura Ingalls Wilder's books but also wrote about the historical background for the foods in the books.
These days we don't often see cream of tartar called for in recipes, but historically it has been common in baking. Since baking soda is a base and cream of tartar is an acid, the two react when liquid is added. If these two are both components of dough or batter, the reaction forms gas bubbles trapped in the mixture that cause the creation to rise. This is how "quick breads" rise, as opposed to yeast breads. The invention of baking powder by combining "saleratus" or baking powder with cream of tartar contributed to the rise (pun definitely intended!) of cakes as the favored American dessert.
For nerds like me, this article "What is cream of tartar?" talks a little more about the history and chemistry behind the cooking applications of cream of tartar.
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Elizabeth
For nerds like me, this article "What is cream of tartar?" talks a little more about the history and chemistry behind the cooking applications of cream of tartar.
What is your favorite thing to bake?
Elizabeth
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