Replacement for yeast

[harma]

Hi everybody, I am looking for a replacement for yeast. I have checked out baking power, it is "no", there is corn starch in it. From an american friend I have heard of baking soda. It is not easy to find hear, not a very common used compound. But my American friend is leaving for the US on Saturday and offered to bring a package of baking soda. Before I will ask her, I first want to check here, is baking soda gluten, soy, egg, diary, yeast and corn free.

Is there anybody that can answer my question? Or are there any other replacements in american supermarkets for yeast (free of all the stuff I mentioned before)

[teagirl]

True baking soda should be pure. It's Sodium Bicarbonate NaHCO3, not to be confused with washing soda (sodium carbonate). I grew up in the UK and baking soda was a fine powder; washing powder was larger crystals.

It makes things rise. It's also used as an antacid. I use it as a cleaner for sinks and counter tops and rains. My mother swore it kept ants away if it was sprinkled outside.

Most drugstores (chemists) will carry it.

I believe that baking powder is baking soda+cream of tartar+starch.

Whether or not you can replace yeast in recipes depends on what you are making. I know sometimes you can use baking soda alone, other times baking soda+ lemon juice can replace yeast in some recipes.

[tex]

Hi Harma,

Maxine is right on the money. Baking soda is simply bicarbonate of soda, which is a pure product, and should not contain anything that you might react to. Surely some form of it is available in your country. You might ask your pharmacist where you can find it. In this country the most popular brand is Arm and Hammer:

http://www.armhammer.com/basics/magic/

I see that Dee's recommended yeast substitutes are:

Yeast substitutes:
1 tablespoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
1 tablespoon baking soda + 1 teaspoon lemon juice

If you want to make your own baking powder, without the starch, simply mix two parts cream of tartar with one part baking soda.

Tex

[harma]

Of course I mean the NAHCO3. I looked on the internet site you mentioned tex, it looks that is the stuff my friend was talking about. The more pure the better, so I will ask her to bring one package from the US.

thanks for the information.

[Bifcus16]

In this part of the world we often refer to bicarb soda, or sodium bicarb. We use it for cleaning as well as cooking , and to absorb smells in the fridge.

I did a google search, and found this exchange which seems to include some names in Dutch?
http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/inde ... 2&shared=N

If this doesn't help, try gourmet food stores near where you live.

Lyn

[harma]

Lyn, thank you.

harma