Talk:Baking powder

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Pre-2014 archive

Commercial baking powder

The article says that commercial baking powder is different from the domestic version, and it spells out the difference, but it doesn't explain why the difference exists. Neither does it provide a reference. Maybe someone can find a reference and tell us why there's a difference. Lou Sander (talk) 13:36, 28 September 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Monocalcium phosphate reaction

The article currently claims, that baking soda and monocalcium phosphate react according to:

14 NaHCO₃ + 5 Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ + 18 H₂O → 14 CO₂ + Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH + 7 Na₂HPO₄ + 18 H₂O

It also says, "The water in the above reaction acts only to solubilize the material so it can react. No net water is produced." But I can't get this to work out. On the left-hand side I count

14 C atoms
5 Ca atoms
34 + 2×18 H atoms
14 Na atoms
82 + 18 O atoms
10 P atoms

On the right-hand side I count

14 C atoms
5 Ca atoms
8 + 2×18 H atoms
14 Na atoms
69 + 18 O atoms
10 P atoms

Some of the atoms, specifically 26 H and 13 O atoms, are missing on the right-hand side. This suggests that the reaction generates 13 H₂O molecules, i.e., your batter gets wetter. Does anyone know what's actually happening? Ozob (talk) 00:34, 11 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Great catch! Here is my math:

14 NaHCO₃ = 42 O, 14 H

5 Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ = 40 O, 20 H

O: 42 + 40 = 82

H: 34 H

14 CO₂ = 28 O

Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH = 13 O, 1 H

7 Na₂HPO₄ = 28 O, 17 H

O: 28 + 13 + 28 = 6669

H: 1 + 17 = 28

Δ O = 1613

Δ H = 3224

--Smokefoot (talk) 03:41, 11 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

But 7Na₂HPO₄ has 7×1 = 7 H and 28 + 13 + 28 = 69. Ozob (talk) 11:47, 11 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Hmm, recalculating, looks like we're closing in water being released but we're off by 1 H. --Smokefoot (talk) 13:26, 11 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Now 34 H − 8 H = 26 H, not 24 H. So we can get exactly 13 H₂O. Ozob (talk) 22:12, 11 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

History of Baking Powder

Should it be noted here that the Romans used chalk in their flour likely to achieve the effect of baking powder? See Pliny Natural History Book XVIII C. 29.

Replace the word "Buffer"

In §Original preparations, the word "buffer" is used for the starch or other agent. That term has a specific meaning in acid–base chemistry (buffer (chemistry)), and even though this article is all about methods of preparing acids and bases to react in various ways, that's not the meaning of the word here. What would be a better word that doesn't have an incorrect dual meaning? DMacks (talk) 23:37, 23 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Source says "buffering material", we could go with that? Or "buffering component"? (I can't think of any single-word replacement) Schazjmd (talk) 23:49, 23 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]

nutrition/health Sodium overload

The high amount of sodium (sliced bread) needs a mention 1 lb flour (4 cups) takes 4 teaspoon baking powder (2370mg sodium). Cake takes double. 2600:1700:CDA0:1060:6844:16A4:5F90:FBA4 (talk) 02:56, 26 July 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Also worth a mention, the sodium free baking powders are 32 times more expensive — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1700:CDA0:1060:6844:16A4:5F90:FBA4 (talk) 04:38, 26 July 2022 (UTC)[reply]