Is baking powder the same as yeast? We explain their uses

Now that it seems like we've all lost our fear of the oven and are experimenting with different types of bread and recipes. Thus, all of us novices in this field have encountered a big question: is baking powder the same as yeast?And even more questions, can we use and interchange them?, what is the use of each? For someone new to baking, it is necessary to know this and to clearly differentiate between yeast and baking powder.Yeast is the ingredient that when making bread, carries out fermentation. It is a fungus, meaning that yeast is composed of living microorganisms that break down organic matter while generating new elements, such as carbon dioxide or alcohols.This is the fermentation process and that is why, when making a dough for bread, when it is indicated to let it ferment, it refers to that resting time in which the yeast is allowed to carry out this process and as a result, the dough increases in volume, since there has been a transformation of matter into carbon dioxide.This use of yeast is one of the oldest, and many types of yeast are used to make foods besides bread, for example, to make beer or wine.On the other hand, baking powder is a chemical leavening agent made with sodium bicarbonate, cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate), and a moisture-absorbing agent, so the main difference between yeast and baking powder is that the former is organic, meaning it is alive, while the latter is not.Although both baking powder and yeast serve the same purpose, they are not the same. Both products help baked goods to rise, but the process by which they do so is different.When used in a recipe to make biscuits, for example, baking powder releases carbon dioxide gas throughout the dough, causing the food to puff up.The process of yeast is that it feeds on the sugars in the flour and then releases carbon dioxide, which makes the food rise. Both processes release carbon dioxide to lighten the dough, but yeast is much slower and leaves a distinct flavor and aroma.The two ingredients not only work differently, but they are also used in different types of recipes. For example, baking powder is used in most baked goods, such as cookies, cakes, or muffins.Yeast is mainly used for breads, including white bread, whole wheat, brioche, and rye.Most likely, the recipe you are consulting will dictate the use of one or the other, but if you are going to make a cake and have yeast but no baking powder, it might be best not to try to interchange the ingredients.Now that you know that yeast and baking powder are not the same, you can continue your mastery of the delicious and stress-relieving art of making homemade bread.