The cream of tartar is a natural leavening agent, used in the kitchen and in pastry as a substitute for chemical yeast, especially suitable in case of yeast intolerance, but also for the preparation of vegan and vegetarian desserts. The cream of tartar also makes the preparations softer and lighter, as it inflates leavened products without weighing them down: therefore it is excellent for making biscuits, cakes, croissants but also bread, savory pies and other baked products that have a good leavening. Then let’s discover what cream of tartar is, how to use it and in what doses and where to find it.
What is cream of tartar?
The cream of tartar, whose scientific name is potassium bitartrate or potassium hydrogenated, is a potassium salt with tartaric acid that has natural leavening properties. It can be used alone, as a stabilizer, to give consistency and volume to some preparations, such as egg whites or whipped cream, or it can be activated thanks to the baking soda, thus acquiring an exceptional leavening power. Cream of tartar is useful in the preparation of leavening products intended for people with celiac disease and yeast intolerance, it is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans: chemical yeast, in fact, may contain a particular stabilizer, E470a, which could come from pigs or cattle. The fundamental characteristic of cream of tartar is however that of making the desserts rise in a natural way making them soft and light, and moreover it is odorless and tasteless: the leavened products thus maintains their characteristic flavor.
The cream of tartar is used like the normal yeast in powder: to calculate the doses it will be enough to replace the quantity of yeast for the preparation with half cream of tartar and half sodium bicarbonate. It is the ideal leavening agent for making sweets and doughs, not only for those who are allergic to traditional yeasts, but also in all those preparations that need leavening, while remaining light and digestible. Cream of tartar is widely used for making American desserts that need quick leavening and softness, such as chiffon cake, but also for preparing cookies and brownies.
The cream of tartar is widely used abroad and you can buy it either in pharmacies, by weight, or in stores specialized in natural products or decorations and desserts and in large supermarkets: in this case you will find it in sachets that usually already contain the cream of tartar and baking soda, so read the label before use.
Cream of tartar can be replaced by traditional yeast or brewer's yeast but, to obtain the same leavening effect, you should add a natural acidifier such as lemon or vinegar juice, egg whites or sugar. For every millimeter of lemon juice or vinegar, you must add an egg white, better if it is whipped, to give more softness to the preparation. Alternatively, you can replace cream of tartar with a mixture of sparkling water and baking soda: replace the dose of cream of tartar necessary for baking with baking soda, add the sparkling water to make a creamy dough that will make the dough rise.
What is a Good Replacement for Cream of Tartar? A good replacement for cream of tartar in baking is 1 teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice for every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
Adding a small amount of cream of tartar when you're beating egg whites—usually 1/8 teaspoon per egg white—speeds up the creation of foam and helps stabilize the structure of those minuscule air bubbles you're whipping up.
noun. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C4H5 KO6, used chiefly as an ingredient in baking powders and in galvanic tinning of metals. Also called: potassium bitartrate, potassium acid tartrate Compare tartar (sense 3)
To make baking powder, mix one part baking soda and two parts cream of tartar. So, if you recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of baking powder, use 1 teaspoon of baking soda, mixed in with 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar.
If a recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar, add one teaspoon of vinegar instead. The only downside of using vinegar is the strong flavor can sneak through. For this reason, white vinegar is the go-to vinegar for substituting cream of tartar, since it has the least distinct flavor.
In other applications where whipped whites provide structure, the meringue base would be weaker, and possibly collapse, without a stabilizer like cream of tartar.
Evidence shows that consuming high amounts of cream of tartar may cause abdominal discomfort, abnormal heart rate, and muscle weakness — all common symptoms of hyperkalemia ( 8 , 10 ).
Tenderizing Meat: Cream of tartar can be used as a meat tenderizer, breaking down proteins and making tough cuts more tender. Acidic Marinades: Its tangy flavor makes cream of tartar an excellent addition to marinades, adding acidity and enhancing the taste of grilled or roasted meats.
Is cream of tartar the same as baking soda? No. Although they are similar in appearance, cream of tartar and baking soda are completely different ingredients. Baking soda, which also goes by the name sodium bicarbonate, is a leavening agent that reacts with acids in a recipe.
To keep track of its freshness, label the container with the date of purchase. Cream of tartar typically has a shelf life of about 2-3 years, and knowing when you bought it can help you determine if it's time for a replacement.
Cream of Tartar: Stabilizes the egg whites and keeps them from deflating. This helps create that light, fluffy texture. Vanilla: Vanilla extract adds incredible flavor! For angel food cake variations, try replacing some or all of the vanilla with almond extract, orange extract, or lemon extract.
The general rule of thumb is for every ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar in a recipe, use 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon cream of tartar, you'd use 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar.
The bottom line: For smooth, stiff beaten egg whites that keep their shape, don't skip the cream of tartar. If you don't have cream of tartar, substituting 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar per egg white works almost as well. To avoid meringues that weep, don't skip the cream of tartar...
Baking powder is a combination of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and cream of tartar. It should work as a substitute for cream of tartar, but you may need to play around with the amount to get the texture you want.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch is an excellent way to foolproof your meringue. Use it to create added fluff and keep your hard-won volume from shrinking. Cream of Tartar: Often added in when making meringues, acidic cream of tartar provides lift and stabilization.
Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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