the kitchn Toggle menu (toft-screen-nav] Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Why Use Both? ‘We've always wondered why some recipes called for both baking soda and baking powder [htip:/womw.thekitchn.comfhekitchm/ingredients-pantryipantry- basics-whats-the-difference-between-baking-soda-and-baking-powder-040514] ‘They're both chemical leaveners that do pretty much the same thing in pretty much the same way. So is it just extra insurance? We finally found our ‘answer in this month's issue of Fine Cooking! Food Geek Brian Geiger explains that it all comes down to acid. Baking soda needs some in order to activate and create the carbon dioxide needed to lift [http sw thekitchn.comthekitchnifot the batter, and you want to use only enough soda to neutralize the acid (since _science/baking-soda-and-baking- leftover soda in the batter tastes gross). Baking powder is actually baking soda _powder-why-use-both-103763] mixed with just the right balance of another acidic ingredient, so you don't have to worry about acid in your recipe or leftover soda in your batter! Now the reason why both soda and powder might be used is because you might have enough soda to neutralize the acid in a recipe, but not actually enough to lift the batter. In these cases, Geiger says that a little baking powder will give the extra lift needed to make the recipe perfect. You could use baking powder alone, but then your finished baked treat might taste too acidic. Geiger says that you might also use both soda and powder when you want the recipe to taste a litle tangy or develop a nice browned color. Baking soda is the key to both of these! + Check Out the Full Article: "Baking Soda and Baking Powder” [http siwww.finecooking.comitem/12173/baking-soda- and-baking-powder] by Brian Geiger, Fine Cooking Issue #102 Related: Fighting Odors: Do You Keep Baking Soda in Your Refrigerator? [http yiwww thekitchn.comi/thekitehnftips- techniquesfighting-odors-do-you-keep-baking-soda-in-your-refrigerator-059869] (Image: Flickr member Mel B. [htip:Twww.llickr.com/photos/42dreams/2452866850/] licensed under Creative Commons. [ntp:licreativecommons.orgilicenses/by/2.0/deed.en] } Promoted Stories More from The Kitchn Categories Books & Media, Food Science, Roundup, Tips & Techniques {http:ithekitchn. com/authors/echristensen] Emma Christensen thtip:/thekitchn.com/authorslechristensen) Emma is the recipe editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews [hitp:shwww.amazon.com/gplproduct'1607743388iref=as_i_? ie-UTF8&camp=1789&creative=3909578creativeASIN=16077433888linkCode=as28tag=emmaelizachri- 208linkid=JLTTUHXISZA33HOE] and Brew Better Beer [ntip:/www amazon. com/gp/producl160774631Xiref=as_ii_? ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=3909578creativeASIN=160774631X8linkCode=as28tag=emmaelizachri- 208linkid=4xY56YRPGUXIPW3A] (Spring 2015). Check out her personal blog[http:emmaelizabethchristensen blogspot com/] for more cooking stories. + 12.11.09 9:30AM [http:iwww thekitchn.com/baking-soda-and-baking- powder-103763]