Cream of Tartar

We have seen it in countless recipes, but what is cream of tartar and what is it used for in our preparations?   Cream of tartar is a white powder that actually has an indistinct flavor and whose chemical name is potassium bitartrate; in short, it is an acid salt. It was first isolated in 1769 by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, but in reality, it has been found inside many vegetables for a long time. The Greeks and Romans of classical times already knew and used it, as it appeared as a sediment in wine barrels during the aging process, crystallizing at the bottom and forming a kind of crust. Today, cream of tartar is used much more than we realize. It plays an important role as it is used as a chemical leavening agent and within the winemaking industry as an acidity corrector. It is also used in baking, candies, confections, chewing gum, canned vegetables, jams, brines, sauces, dehydrated soups, and other products. In our own kitchens, this element is indispensable as it has several purposes within the world of home baking. It can be used to stabilize egg whites when making meringues and, of course, to give more volume to our cakes, pound cakes, and other recipes made with flour and sugar. If you have ever wondered why your cakes don’t rise or why a pound cake hasn’t taken the desired shape, then probably the recipe you used did not include the necessary cream of tartar. Now, many think that cream of tartar is an alternative in cooking, but in reality, it is a rule when it comes to certain desserts. Take, for example, the soufflé, which cannot rise or take the necessary shape without this element; there are also meringues that depend on cream of tartar to have that peculiar texture and that defined flavor. It is advisable not to use too much in recipes, just the indicated amount, due to its high content of sodium bicarbonate, which is harmless in small quantities but can harm the body in larger volumes.   Recipes with Cream of Tartar Recipe for Chocolate Hazelnut Soufflé Ingredients: - 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter - 2/3 cup of sugar - 1 tablespoon of hazelnut liqueur - 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract - 255 grams of milk chocolate - 1/4 cup of flour - 1 cup of milk - 1 pinch of salt - 4 eggs separated into yolks and whites - 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar Click here to see the steps to prepare this recipe.   Recipe for Strawberry Meringues Ingredients: - 5 egg whites at room temperature - 1/8 teaspoon of salt - 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar - 1/4 cup of powdered sugar - 1 teaspoon of vanilla - 2 tablespoons of nuts - 1 cup of whipped cream - sliced strawberries for garnish - mint (a few leaves) for decoration To see the steps to prepare this meringue click here.   Recipe for Egg White Cake Ingredients: - 6 egg whites - 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar - 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract - 1/8 teaspoon of salt - 1/4 cup of sugar plus 2 tablespoons - 1/2 cup of sifted cake flour Find the steps to prepare this cake by clicking here.   Did you know the uses of cream of tartar?