Forever causing reactions in baking science, chemical leavening systems are essential to a number of baked goods. Typically made up of a food-grade base, a leavening acid, and an inert filler like starch, they must be blended at just the right ratio into your formula for success. Here to dive into the science of [...]
Why do you add acids to baked goods? For chemical leavening, right? Well, that’s not all they are good for. Look at fumaric acid. With this ingredient, a little goes a long way. This is an acid with a high acidification power and neutralization value of 145. This means you can use less of [...]
Fumaric Acid Also known as 2-butene-dioic acid trans What is Fumaric Acid? Fumaric acid is an organic acid found widely in nature. It is a colorless, odorless, crystalline powder with tart-fruity taste. The least expensive food acidulant, it’s a clean label food additive used in beverages, baked goods, confections and dessert mixes [...]
Chemical Leavening Formulation Also known as baking powder formulation What is Chemical Leavening Formulation? Chemical leavening formulation is the process of preparing a chemical leavening system. It typically consists of a food-grade base, a leavening acid, and an inert filler like starch. These must be blended at the correct ratio for optimal [...]
Reducing agents are a type of dough conditioner used to reduce mix time and improve extensibility. They are used in bread to increase bakery throughput and to adjust for flour variation and in a number of other yeast and chemically leavened applications. How do reducing agents work? During mixing, the gluten in the flour [...]
Lactic Acid What is Lactic Acid? Lactic acid is one of the most widely distributed acids in nature. It is a natural, weak, organic acid associated with milk. The acid is odorless and has a mild taste which does not compromise or mask other flavors. In fact, it enhances them. It is [...]
You know what a fascinating ingredient is? Baking powder. Why? Because it just sits in your formula UNTIL water is added. This activates a reaction, turning baking powder into a chemical leavening agent. What’s the reaction? When water mixes with the acid (often MCP, SAPP, SALP, SAS or tartaric acid—although phosphate-free varieties are available), carbon dioxide gas [...]
Double-Acting Baking Powder What is Double-Acting Baking Powder? Double-acting baking powder has two types of acids, which react at different times during baking. The reaction adds volume to baked goods that don't have acid in them, such as cookies or cakes. Baking powder is a leavening agent that contains a combination of [...]
Bases, like sodium bicarbonate, are chemical substances which react with acids to neutralize them. Bases What are bases? Bases are chemical substances which react with acids to neutralize them. The terms ‘base’ and ‘alkali’ are often used interchangeably, although not accurately. While both substances can neutralize acids, alkalis are a special [...]
Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (SAPP) Also known as disodium diphosphate What is Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (SAPP)? The leavening acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) is an important component of double acting baking powder as well as self rising flour. SAPP reacts in stages and is desirable in baking applications for its slow action. Properties [...]
