How to Check the Freshness of Baking Powder

Baking powder is a crucial ingredient that makes dough rise and creates a light, airy texture in baked goods. When baking powder is old or expired, it won’t produce the chemical reaction required for baking, meaning that your bread, cookies, and other baked treats may fail to rise properly. Baking powder can last for over a year when stored correctly, but if you're unsure about its freshness, it's best to test it before using it in your baking recipes.

Boil some tap water. Fill the kettle with the minimum amount of water. You only need ½ cup (120 ml) of hot water to test the baking powder, but the minimum amount helps prevent the kettle from overheating. Turn on the kettle and wait for the water to boil.

• Don't boil more water than necessary to avoid wasting energy.

Place some baking powder in a bowl. Measure 1 teaspoon (5 g) of baking powder and place it in a heatproof glass bowl or dish. Since you will be pouring boiling water onto the baking powder, make sure the bowl is heat-resistant.

Measure and pour the water into the baking powder. Once the water has boiled, pour some hot water into a measuring cup, filling it with ½ cup. Slowly pour the hot water from the measuring cup into the bowl with the baking powder.

Observe the bubbling of the baking powder. If the baking powder is still fresh, it will bubble immediately and produce a sizzling sound when you pour the hot water on it. The sizzling sound confirms that the baking powder is fresh, and you can use it to leaven your dough.

Mix baking soda with cream of tartar. Baking powder is actually a combination of baking soda and dry acid. If you don’t have fresh baking powder, you can make your own in a pinch. To make 1 tablespoon (15 g) of baking powder, mix 1 teaspoon (5 g) of baking soda with 2 teaspoons (7 g) of cream of tartar.

Combine baking soda with buttermilk. Another acid that you can use to turn baking soda into baking powder is buttermilk. Mix ½ teaspoon (2g) of baking soda with ½ cup (120 ml) of buttermilk. This homemade baking powder substitute works best when your recipe already calls for buttermilk, such as in:

• Pancakes
• Fluffy muffins
• Biscuits
• Waffles
• Bread
• Donuts

Mix baking soda with lemon juice or vinegar. Both lemon juice and vinegar contain acid that will activate the baking soda and turn it into baking powder. To make this substitute, combine ¼ teaspoon (1g) of baking soda with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of lemon juice or vinegar. The mixture will yield 1 teaspoon (5g) of baking powder.

• When creating baking powder using liquid acids mixed with baking soda, reduce an equivalent amount of other liquids in the recipe. For example, if you make 2 teaspoons of baking powder using lemon juice and baking soda, reduce the milk in the recipe by 2 teaspoons.

Store baking powder in an airtight container. When properly stored, baking powder can last up to 18 months or even longer. One of the most important factors is to keep it in an airtight container, preventing oxygen from entering. Good storage options include:

• Mason jars
• Glass or plastic containers with tightly fitting lids
• Small metal or ceramic containers with airtight lids

Prolong the shelf life of baking powder by storing it in a dry place. If baking powder becomes exposed to moisture, it can clump and lose its effectiveness. Dry places where you can store baking powder to extend its shelf life include kitchen cabinets, dish cupboards, or any non-humid areas. Avoid storing it in damp basements, under sinks, or places where liquids may spill or leak.

• Humidity in the air contains water, yeast, and other elements that can alter the chemical structure of baking powder. Over time, exposure to moisture will render baking powder ineffective.

Store baking powder in a cool place. Another way to extend the shelf life of baking powder is to keep it in a location away from heat sources. High temperatures can activate the baking powder, especially if it's not stored in a sufficiently dry environment. A cupboard away from the stove is an ideal place to store your baking powder.