Expert: Elyse Grau - 1/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: hi, what is disodium phosphate?  is it similiar to baking powder? also what is annato and cream of tartar?  thanks, jade

ANSWER: Jade:
As far as I know, disodium phosphate is simply an antioxidant used in some baking powders and other things as a preservative. Cream of tartar is also an ingredient in baking powder - also called tartaric acid. It is used alone in other things including making cheese, stabilizing egg whites for meringues and some beverages. It is a by-product of wine making, and so is completely natural.

Annato is a seed that produces a red color and is usually used to flavor oils. It is used mostly in South American cooking I believe. I'm not sure if it adds much taste. I've been meaning to find some myself, as I have a couple of recipes that call for it, but they work fine without it.

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QUESTION: very interesting info.  thanks.  also i know some baking powders contain aluminum.  is disodium phosphate also a form of baking powder or is it strictly an antioxidant. (i believe monosodium phosphate is baking powder, so that's why i am wondering if it is a form of baking poder)  thanks

ANSWER: Jade:
Monosodium phosphate may be found in baking powder, but is not b.p. by itself.

Baking powder is a compound ingredient made up of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)and an acid, such as tartaric acid (cream of tartar). More commonly in commercial b.p.s the acid ingredient(s) is (are) monosodium phosphate and/or aluminum sulfate. (There may be other forms of sodium or aluminum also).

The acid reacts with the baking soda (a base) to create carbon dioxide in the batter which forms tiny bubbles that gives the rise to baked goods.

Does that help?

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QUESTION: yes that totally helps.  recently i've become aware that the baking powder i was using contained aluminum and i was not comfortable using it anymore so i bought one that does not contain it.  it contains monocalcium phosphate instead.  just to make sure i understand correctly i have one last question does sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate, or disodium phosphate contain any aluminum within.  thank you.

Answer
Jade:
No, those chemicals don't contain any aluminum. But if you're concerned about them, why don't you make your own baking powder? Simply mix 1t baking soda with 1 1/2t cream of tartar (measure what you need for a recipe), or 6T soda with 9T cr. of t. to make a cup at a time. Store in an old baking powder container or any airtight one.

Elyse