How to Use Cream of Tartar for Cooking and Baking

Image by photoAC from Pixabay

Cream of tartar sounds like some exotic dessert, but it’s actually a byproduct of winemaking in the form of a powder that can be used for cooking and baking. You likely have it somewhere in the back of your pantry, and here’s how to use it.

Cream of tartar, otherwise known as potassium bitartrate, is a powdered acid that can help you with the consistency of some dishes. It’s great for making bread, for whisking egg whites, and for anything you want to rise and stay that way. It has a slight metallic taste that’s too mild to be noticed if you use small quantities.

Cream of tartar combined with baking soda gives us baking powder, an essential ingredient for many baked goods.

Aside from cooking, cream of tartar can be used in a household as a powerful cleaning solution. You can use it to keep the drains running and to clean aluminum pots and pans.

It also comes with several health benefits, so don’t be afraid to add it to dishes that require it. Cream of tartar can help treat arthritis and clear up your skin. It’s also efficient in battling bacterial infections and it can lower blood pressure.