Baking Powders.
Pure baking powders are very simple in composition, care being used in preparing them and procuring pure ingredients. According to the advertised statements of the various leading manufacturers we are forced to make our own if we desire a pure and wholesome article. As the essential ingredients of the best baking powder are baking soda and cream of tartar we need only be careful in buying of honest grocers or druggists who will guarantee their purity. It is not difficult to procure pure soda, but the cream of tartar is frequently adulterated, and care must be used in its purchase.
It is very important that the materials used must be finely powdered, perfectly dry, and thoroughly mixed. For household purposes a patent sifter is the best to use in mixing. Run the articles through a number of times and free from all lumps. The ingredients can be dried by placing them in an oven for a short time before mixing.
Baking Powder No. 1.
| Pure cream of tartar2 | pounds. |
| Pure bicarbonate of soda1 | pound. |
| Corn starch2 | ounces. |
This is the best that can be made. One to two tea-spoonfuls to a quart of flour.
Baking Powder No. 2.
A cheaper powder, but superior to the majority of powders you will buy, is prepared as follows:
| Pure cream of tartar2 | pounds. |
| Pure bicarbonate of soda2 | pounds. |
| Tartaric acid6 | ounces. |
| Corn starch1 | pound. |
| Best flour4 | pounds. |
Use two tea-spoonfuls to a quart of flour. Do not be afraid of the tartaric acid, as it is harmless. It is best to keep your baking powder in a well-stopped jar or bottle. Flour, terra alba, alum, and chalk are the chief ingredients used in the adulteration of cream of tartar. To determine the admixture of flour rub a few grains of iodine with one ounce of the suspected cream of tartar; if so adulterated a blue tint to the mixture will be produced; or by dissolving a small quantity in water you can prove its presence by the stickiness. Chalk may be determined by its effervescing on the addition of diluted acids; alum by dissolving in hot water and allowing the solution to chrystallize; terra alba and other clays by their insolubility in a hot solution of caustic potassa.