Sodium bicarbonate
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Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), also called baking soda and bicarbonate of soda, is a white powdery compound that is used as a leavening agent in baking. When mixed with acidic ingredients such as vinegar, lemon juice, buttermilk, and yogurt, sodium bicarbonate creates carbon dioxide bubbles to rise baked goods. Heating sodium bicarbonate will cause it to decompose which will also release carbon dioxide.[1]
Sodium bicarbonate is very high in sodium and can be replaced for equal parts potassium bicarbonate for low sodium diets.
Substitutions
If sodium bicarbonate needs to be replaced in a recipe, substituted 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sodium bicarbonate with one of the following:
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) potash
- 1 teaspoon potassium bicarbonate