Baking powder
Baking powder is a dry chemical
leavening agent used in
baking. When it comes in contact with
acidic ingredient, it releases
carbon dioxide gas, which forms bubbles and leavens the mixture it is in.
Common baking powder formulations include:
The baking powder was invented by
Justus von Liebig. Until as recently as the
1980s, many baking powders contained calcium aluminum phosphate or other
aluminium salts. These have been phased out, as aluminum is now believed to be detrimental to human health at much lower levels than formerly thought.
See also: Baking soda