After a stay in the refrigerator, the meringue without cream of tartar showed beads of moisture on its surface. The pie prepared with cream of tartar emerged in much better shape, with a dry, smooth, bead-free meringue.
The explanation? When egg whites are whipped, the protein strands within begin to unwind and form a network that holds water and air bubbles in place. But egg whites contain sulfur atoms, which form strong bonds that can over-strengthen this network. Acidic cream of tartar slows the formation of the sulfur bonds, preserving the stability of the network so that air and water stay put.
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.
Potassium bitartrate, also known as potassium hydrogen tartrate, with formula KC4H5O6, is a chemical compound with a number of uses. It is the potassium acid salt of tartaric acid (a carboxylic acid). In cooking, it is known as cream of tartar.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Potassium_bitartrate
slows the formation of the sulfur bonds, preserving the stability of the network so that air and water stay put. The bottom line: For smooth, stiff beaten egg whites that keep their shape, don't skip the cream of tartar.
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.
When egg whites are beaten, air is added. The air bubbles are then surrounded by the egg white protein (albumen), causing the egg white foam to become stiff and stable. When an acid, such as cream of tartar, is added to an egg white foam, the foam becomes even more stable.
You can use 1.5 teaspoons (6 grams) of baking powder to replace 1 teaspoon (3.5 grams) of cream of tartar. This substitution is ideal because it can be used in any recipe without modifying the taste or texture of the final product.
1) provides structure during baking, 2) provides reducing sugars and protein for Maillard reaction. What are the functions of the cream of tartar? 1) provides acid to stabilize the egg white foam, 2) causes the final product to be whiter.
Without cream of tartar, you'll get the same baked good in the end, but the consistency may not be as flawless. If you're worried about your cake coming out too flat or your lemon meringue pie going runny, adding cream of tartar is an effective way to prevent it.
You'll most commonly see cream of tartar in recipes that require whipping egg whites, where it's included to provide support. “Weak acids, such as cream of tartar, stabilize egg white foams by lowering pH, which increases the stability of the foam,” explains Baker's Hotline Specialist David Binkley.
It is used to stabilize beaten egg whites in angel food cakes and meringues. To replace 1 teaspoon of baking powder mix 1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar to 1/4 teaspoon each of baking soda & corn starch. The potassium salt of tartaric acid is used to stabilize egg whites in baking.
Cream of tartar is a dry acid. When water is added to a combination of cream of tartar and baking soda, the cream of tartar reacts with the baking soda to produce a gas that you see as bubbles.
You can also simply leave out the cream of tartar from a recipe, which may result in baked goods that are not as fluffy, but will still work out and taste good.
Cream of tartar is a white powder sold in the baking aisle that's commonly used to stabilize whipped egg whites in meringues and cakes, prevent sugar crystallization in candies and caramel, and act as the activating ingredient in baking powder.
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.
It adds tang to snickerdoodles, stabilizes egg whites for fluffy angel food cakes and light-as-air meringues, and prevents sugar from crystallizing for smooth syrups and chewy cookies. Cream of tartar is incredibly versatile and is an absolute must-have for all bakers, no matter their skillset.
Cream of tartar greatly improved and regularized the baking process since the uniformity of both sodium bicarbonate and cream of tartar offered bakers better control of the leavening process, allowing for predictable results. The mixing of sodium bicarbonate and cream of tartar marked the introduction of baking powder.
Although cream of tartar clearly excels in churning out fluffy baked goods, the substance is also used as an additive to control the pH levels (basicity or acidity) of products, prevent microorganisms like bacteria from growing, and keep foodstuffs from getting all lumpy thanks to excessive moisture.
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.
Tartar and plaque can: cause bad breath, from bacteria buildup. destroy enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, which can in turn, lead to tooth sensitivity, cavities, and even tooth loss. promote gum disease.
Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
