Did you know that most baking powder sold in your local super-market contains aluminum and corn based ingredients?
Yes, most baking powders in your local super-market will contain aluminum (in the form of ‘sodium aluminum sulfate’) and some corn-based ingredients.
Aluminum is definitely something you want to avoid ingesting, as it has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease among other things.
Aluminum-Free baking powder is available in some nicer super-markets, though it can be a little hard to find at times and somewhat pricey as well. If you are having a hard time finding it, there is one solution.
Make it yourself…….yes, I said “Make it Yourself”.
It’s not hard at all, and you probably already have the ingredients on hand in your cupboard/pantry. And if you don’t, they are easy enough to find.
Homemade Baking Powder
(Aluminum-Free – Gluten-Free – Grain-Free)
- 1 part Baking Soda
- 2 parts Cream of Tartar
- 2 parts Tapioca Starch or Arrowroot Powder
1. Sift the baking soda, cream of tartar, and tapioca starch (or arrowroot) together. Store in an air-tight container in a cool-dry place.
2. When using in recipes, use 1:1 wherever it calls for ‘baking powder’.
Some Benefits of Making Your Own Baking Powder
Besides it being aluminum-free and grain-free (corn free), it will also be gluten-free….another thing most commercial baking powder is not. One other added benefit is that you can be sure it is fresh…giving you the best leavening (rising) ability. (Just make up small batches, or make on an as needed basis.)