Baking soda needs an acidic agent to act on the other hand baking powder does not need any acidic component because it the combination of baking soda and a dry acid.
Difference Between Baking Powder and Baking Soda
Check out the difference between baking powder and baking soda in brief.
S.No | Baking Soda | Baking Powder |
---|---|---|
1 | It is also known as bicarbonate of soda or sodium carbonate | It is comprised of baking soda and dry acid |
2 | Baking soda is a base alkaline compound | same |
3 | 3-4x stronger than baking powder | It is less strong than baking soda |
4 | Both are Chemical leavening agents | Both are Chemical leavening agents |
5 | It is used in cooking food | It is also used in cooking food |
What is Baking Soda?
It is known as bicarbonate of soda or sodium carbonate and mostly used in baking goods. It is a base alkaline compound, means it is non-acidic in nature. Carbon dioxide gas gets released when it reacts with an acid.
The chemical formula of baking powder
NaHCO₃
What is Baking Powder?
Baking powder contains baking soda and dry acid and it’s chemical name is sodium hydrogen carbonate there are two different types of baking powder you can see at your home or at the restaurant
- Single Acting Baking Powder: This type of baking powder mostly used by professional chefs only
- Double Acting Baking Powder: Common form of baking powder and easily available in markets. The baking powder gets wet at normal temperature, where you can see the first rise and second rise you can see when it is heated.
The chemical formula of baking powder
NaHCO3
Working of Baking Soda and Baking Powder
Baking soda is used to make cookies, pancakes, biscuits and other baked goods, it reacts with acid and releasing carbon dioxide which helps the goods to rise. buttermilk, fruit juice, lemon juice works as an acidic agent. While the baking powder is the combination of baking soda with dry acid, most of the baking powder is the mixture of disodium diphosphate and sodium bicarbonate.
FAQs
What is the scientific name of baking powder?
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate (NaHCO₃)
What is the scientific name of baking soda?
Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3 )