Cream of Tartar: What It Is and How to Use It (2024)

FAQs

Cream of Tartar: What It Is and How to Use It? ›

Cream of tartar stabilizes the tiny bubbles in the egg whites, by precluding the egg proteins from sticking together. It thus speeds up the egg white whipping process and contributes to a stable, billowy, glossy meringue, perfect for cookies, topping pies, and folding into cake.

Cream of tartar is a white powder found in the baking aisle that is commonly used to help stabilize whipped egg whites in meringues and cakes and give snickerdoodle cookies their signature flavor and texture. It's made from tartaric acid, a byproduct of the winemaking process.

Cream of tartar is praised for multiple potential health benefits, from migraine relief to help quitting smoking. Yet, the only claim that's backed by science is its effect as constipation relief. The FDA recognizes cream of tartar as a safe ingredient when consumed in small quantities.

This ingredient hidden at the back of your spice cabinet helps tomatoes strike the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

Tell students that cream of tartar is a dry acid and that, when mixed with water, it reacts with baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas. This is very similar to the way vinegar (a solution of acetic acid) reacts with baking soda to produce a gas.

To keep track of its freshness, label the container with the date of purchase. Cream of tartar typically has a shelf life of about 2-3 years, and knowing when you bought it can help you determine if it's time for a replacement.

Cream of tartar may reduce the chances of UT infections. But, excess potassium levels in the blood put kidneys under pressure. It is because potassium is a potent diuretic. Therefore, an increase in potassium levels leads to a rise in the diuretic action of the kidneys, which is harmful.

For arthritis pain: Cream of Tartar is rich in potassium, so adding 2 Tablespoons to a warm bath along with 3 Tablespoons of Epsom salt and soaking for 30 minutes will help to reduce inflammation and joint pain. Do this once or twice per day until pain is alleviated.

Potassium bitartrate is a natural laxative that can help with digestive issues like constipation. This benefit comes from its potassium and magnesium content. However, there are case studies showing toxicity from consuming too much cream of tartar for its laxative effects, so stick to smaller amounts mixed with water.

“Too much cream of tartar will impart a metallic, tin-like taste,” Molly warns.

What happens when you mix cream of tartar and vinegar together? ›

“When you take cream of tartar and you mix that with vinegar, or even lemon juice, you get what's called tartaric acid and that actually can be used to clean porcelain, aluminum, and copper and brass as well,” says Chem Thug.

Reduces Acidity and Plaque

As such, baking soda not only prevents tooth decay but also helps remineralize your enamel. Baking soda can also limit plaque buildup by neutralizing plaque acids. Many kinds of toothpaste contain baking soda to help clean teeth more effectively and protect against plaque.

What Does Cream of Tartar Do in Cookies? Cream of tartar makes cookies chewy, as it precludes the sugar in the dough from crystalizing, which would lead to crispiness (ie: the opposite of chewiness).

What Is Cream of Tartar Used For? Adding a small amount of cream of tartar when you're beating egg whites—usually 1/8 teaspoon per egg white—speeds up the creation of foam and helps stabilize the structure of those minuscule air bubbles you're whipping up.

The bottom line: For smooth, stiff beaten egg whites that keep their shape, don't skip the cream of tartar. If you don't have cream of tartar, substituting 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar per egg white works almost as well. To avoid meringues that weep, don't skip the cream of tartar...

Ok, the good news first: cream of tartar is completely unrelated to teeth. Whew! In fact, it's an acidic by-product from the process of making wine. It's found in the sediment left behind in barrels after the wine has been fermented, and it gets purified into the powdery white substance that we use in baking.

The cream of tartar makes the pancakes fluffy and not flat. Add a dash of vanilla for a sweeter flavor.