8 Cream of Tartar Uses You Never Thought of (and What the Heck It Actually Is) (2024)

FAQs

What is cream of tartar and its uses? ›

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.

High intakes of cream of tartar may lead to hyperkalemia, or dangerously high blood potassium levels, due to its high potassium content.

Cream of tartar is the potassium acid salt of tartaric acid, otherwise known as potassium acid tartrate or potassium bitartrate. Although it has many uses in food and beverages, it primarily finds use as a component of leavening systems for bakers. Properties of cream of tartar: Chemical formula: KC₄H₅O.

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...

The general rule of thumb is for every ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar in a recipe, use 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon cream of tartar, you'd use 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar.

The Best Substitute for Cream of Tartar

For every 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar in the recipe, use 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar. As an example, if your cookie recipe calls for 1 teaspoon baking soda, add 2 teaspoons lemon juice instead of the cream of tartar.

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.

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.

If you leave tartar on your teeth, it can: Erode your enamel. Cause cavities. Make your gums swell and bleed.

Produced as a byproduct in the winemaking process and scientifically known as potassium bitartrate or potassium acid tartrate, cream of tartar is a powdery white substance that can last for a few years in your pantry and even a few months after its best-by date — provided that you're storing it in an airtight and dry ...

Is expired cream of tartar safe? ›

Cream of tartar keeps its freshness indefinitely, as long as you store it in a cool, dry spot. When in doubt, you can test it by looking at it and smelling it. It should look white and powdery, and it should smell mildly acidic.

Cream of tartar does not expire so long as you store it in a cool and dry space. When in doubt, check for a powdery, white appearance and a slightly acidic smell. Discard your cream of tartar if it has become discolored or if it has a strong smell.

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.

Using salt and acid (cream of tartar) balances the sugary sweetness. Silver rum adds a subtle flavor, without darkening the icing like vanilla. Creaming helps minimize the grit of powdered sugar.

Visually, they look very similar, but while baking soda is a base with a high pH (remember the pH scale from chemistry class?), cream of tartar is an acid, which is why together they can help leaven baked goods. So no, they aren't the same and can't be used interchangeably, but can be used in tandem.

In baked goods, cream of tartar is used as a leavener, to give cakes, muffins and cookies their rise. It has a tinny, metallic taste that's most noticeable in Snickerdoodle cookies. A tiny pinch added to water also helps vegetables maintain their color when they're blanched.