Plenty of recipes utilize baking soda as a leavening agent. Due to its popularity and immense versatility, you can typically find it in the baking aisle next to flour, spices, or near baking powder in stores like Walmart or the grocery store.
Hey, there! My name is Michelle, and baking soda is one of my best friends. Okay, not literally. But I use baking soda so often that it may as well be a bridesmaid at my wedding. I go through baking soda quicker than anyone I know, so it is critical to know exactly where it’s placed.
If you’re wandering down the grocery store or supermarket aisles and just can’t seem to locate baking soda, don’t panic – this article is going to share where you can find baking soda (and where not to look, too).
Let’s chit-chat about the handy ingredient baking soda!
Contents
Why is Baking Soda Necessary in Baking?
So, basically, baking soda can be used for just about anything. From teeth whitening to soothing heartburn, cleaning the kitchen, to neutralizing foul odors, baking soda can do it all. It’s great for baking, too, which is why you see it in so many recipes.
What exactly does this versatile ingredient do in baking? Well, baking soda (bicarbonate) mixes with acid in baking recipes to produce carbon dioxide. In baking, this process is known as “leavening.” It is essential for creating the “rise” in certain baked goods, such as Irish soda bread, pancakes, or vanilla cake.
When the baking soda reacts with the acidic ingredient, loads of bubbles are formed, causing the dough or batter to inflate. While baking, the batter will bubble up, causing the leavening necessary for bread, cakes, cookies, and beyond.
Needless to say, you will end up with a flat pancake instead of a fluffy light cake if you ditch the baking soda. But if you’re new to baking and don’t know where to find this magical ingredient, keep reading.
Where to Find Baking Soda in a Grocery Store
The good news is, baking soda is really easy to find. The first thing you need to do is to head to the baking aisle. Here, you will find just about everything you need to create your baked treat.
When strolling down the aisle, search for flour. Baking soda is almost always near baking powder. If it’s not near the flour section, then skip over to the spices. Sometimes, baking soda is placed here instead.
Hint: if you find the baking powder, you can rest assured that baking soda is located close by.
If all else fails, you can also look for an employee to help you find the baking soda.
Keep in mind that there are many different brands of baking soda, but they all work the same. Here are some popular baking soda brands:
- Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
- Pure Organic Ingredients Baking Soda
- Duda Energy Pure Sodium Bicarbonate Powder
- Ener-G Baking Soda Substitute
- Milliard 5lbs Baking Soda
- Generic baking soda
Sometimes, baking soda is sold in bulk. Now, I’m not saying you’re going to need baking soda in bulk. But if you fall in love with it and use it for literally everything and anything as I do, you will be happy you opted for the bulk baking soda.
Where NOT to Find Baking Soda in a Supermarket or Grocery Store
If you’re looking for baking soda, it’s best to skip over the cleaning aisle. Why? Because some supermarkets and grocery stores have baking soda products in the cleaning department.
Don’t try to use “cleaning” baking soda for your baking projects. This type of baking soda is not designed for consumption. (But you should go ahead and buy the cleaning baking soda, too. Seriously – it is so convenient and works like a charm).
Just store your cleaning baking soda and your actual baking baking soda apart from each other, so they don’t get mixed up.
FAQs
Luckily, the miracle ingredient baking soda is easy to find in any supermarket or grocery store. But if you’re still wondering about this topic, you’re going to want to take a look at some of these frequently asked questions for your answer.
What is another name for baking soda?
Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate. When searching for baking soda in a supermarket or grocery store, the product should say “baking soda” instead of “sodium bicarbonate.”
Is bicarbonate of soda the same as baking soda?
Some countries outside the US, such as Australia and the UK, refer to baking soda as “bicarbonate of soda” or simply “bicarb soda.” That said, yes, the bicarbonate of soda is the same thing as baking soda.
Does Tesco sell baking soda?
Tesco sells baking soda.
Is baking powder the same as baking soda?
Baking powder is not the same as baking soda, although baking powder contains a small amount of baking soda. That is why baking powder can sometimes replace baking soda in recipes, although the amount is increased greatly.
Where can I find baking soda in Walmart?
In Walmart, finding baking soda is not much different from finding it in a supermarket or grocery store. It will likely be in the baking aisle close to flour or spices. However, you can also shop online for baking soda and find plenty of options.
What is the difference between Natron and baking soda?
Natron (Na2CO3·10H2O) is different from baking soda because it contains sodium chloride and sodium carbonate, while baking soda is only sodium bicarbonate. The ingredients can be used interchangeably, although the desired result may be slightly altered, such as crispier cookies.
Can I buy baking soda in a supermarket?
Yes, you can! Almost every supermarket, such as Tesco, Aldi, or Asda, will have baking soda. The baking soda can be found next to flour or spices in the baking department, just like in any other store.
Final Words
Baking soda is a handy ingredient that can be used for almost anything. It can be found in just about every store across the globe, including supermarkets and grocery stores. When looking for baking soda, it should be on the baking aisle near flour or spices. (Not the cleaning aisle).
Do you use baking soda? Where do you find it in your local supermarket or grocery store? Comment below.
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