This immaculate powder, which is becoming a permanent fixture in our cupboards, is more than interesting! Baking soda has infinite powers that can be used in various ways. In both the kitchen and the bathroom, it becomes the go-to product for the household.
**Food and Household Use:**
In ancient Egypt, clever scholars quickly realized the potential of the white powder accumulated on the surface of salt lakes during evaporation. This powder was used for washing and scrubbing. Closer to our time, in the 16th century, Montaigne praised the benefits of baths in springs rich in bicarbonate compounds. However, it was two American bakers who developed the current refining recipe for bicarbonate, a mixture of salt, chalk, and water. They were seeking a stable alternative to yeast for leavening their bread and cakes. The primary property of this substance is its ability to neutralize acidic substances while producing carbon dioxide. In bakeries, it’s the tiny gas bubbles released by the addition of baking soda that make dough rise.
Today, baking soda has so many uses that it comes in different chemical formulations that should not be confused. Formulations labeled FCC are reserved for food use. Other formulations are used for household cleaning and industrial purposes.
**Why It’s So Fantastic:**
Baking soda is biodegradable, non-toxic, and non-flammable, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. It’s a deodorizer, an excellent non-abrasive scouring powder due to its fine grains, and it’s highly effective as a limescale remover for laundry. It also inhibits the growth of fungi and ensures good hygiene in pantry cupboards. It’s widely used by gardeners and organic farmers, especially for protecting vines or roses.
