Baking Soda Introduction

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as "baking soda," "soda ash," or "baking powder," is a fine white crystalline substance with a lower solubility in water than sodium carbonate. It is an industrial chemical. Solid sodium bicarbonate begins to decompose gradually at temperatures above 50°C, forming sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide, and water, and completely decomposes at 440°C. Sodium bicarbonate is an acidic salt formed by the neutralization of a strong base and a weak acid, and it exhibits a weak alkaline nature when dissolved in water. This property allows it to act as a leavening agent in the food preparation process. After its use, sodium bicarbonate leaves behind sodium carbonate, and excessive use can result in a product with a bitter alkaline taste.