Honest to Goodness Cream of Tartar is a handy pantry staple for baking and cleaning. It can act as a leavening agent in baked goods, stabilises and adds volume to whipped egg whites and prevents sugars from crystallising. It is also a handy ingredient for DIY all-natural cleaning.
Cream of tartar is also known as potassium bitartrate and is the powdered form of tartaric acid. This acidic pantry staple similar to lemon or vinegar – handy in baking and around your home!
IN BAKED GOODS
Create light and fluffy desserts by using Honest to Goodness Cream of Tartar in baked goods. As a leavening agent, Cream of Tartar creates a lighter, spongier texture through the release of gasses that create a foaming action. It also stabilises and adds volume to whipped egg whites and prevents sugars from crystallising which gives a softer, chewier texture. It comes in particularly handy with tricky recipes like meringues or souffle.
DIY BAKING POWDER
Never be without baking powder again! To make 1 teaspoon of baking powder combine 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar with 1/4 teaspoon bi-carb soda.
CLEANING
Put a sparkle on burnt aluminium pots and pans with 2 tablespoons cream of tartar mixed with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl then use a sponge to scrub until burnt marks are gone. You can also use a 1:4 mixture of cream of tartar and bi-carb soda to clear drains. Pour boiling water down the drain and add the powder mixture. Leave to sit for at least half an hour then flush clean with boiling water.
