Cream of Tartar: What It Is and How to Use It (2024)

FAQs

Cream of Tartar: What It Is and How to Use It? ›

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.

The most common recipes that call for cream of tartar are those that call for egg whites to be whipped, like angel food cake, genoise cake, meringue, and macarons. Jampel says that is because cream of tartar works as an egg white stabilizer that increases both the volume and shelf life of the meringue.

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.

Preventing Crystallization

Just like in baking, cream of tartar prevents crystallization in co*cktail recipes.

Cream of tartar's most important side effect is the risk of hyperkalemia — or excessive potassium levels in your blood — due to its high potassium content ( 10 ).

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.

Using Cream of Tartar

Spread it on the rust-stained areas of your toilet. Use a nylon bristle brush to scrub the areas. From time to time, sprinkle some cream of tartar in your toilet bowl and let it sit overnight to prevent rust buildup. One of the best cleaning tools you can have is an old toothbrush.

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.

Clean your bathroom grout

Just create a thick paste using cream of tartar and white vinegar, and apply to your grout using an old toothbrush. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe clean. Mold and mildew be gone!

Cream of tartar is known for its ability to stabilize the whipped structure of lofty meringues and piles of whipped cream, and there's no reason it can't do the same for a pile of fluffy scrambled eggs. You don't need much—just an eighth of a teaspoon for every two eggs (plus a little salt for flavor).

Does cream of tartar go bad? ›

Generally speaking, cream of tartar doesn't spoil over time so much as it loses its potency to be effective. Over time, you may see it start to clump up — while this can be a sign of excess moisture, small clumps are completely normal and require nothing more than a little sifting with a fork.

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...

A little bit of cream of tartar is also said to act as a laxative, effectively easing constipation. However, it's also a diuretic, so it can cause dehydration if used excessively.

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.

One of the key benefits of cream of tartar in lemonade is its ability to balance the body's pH levels. While lemons are naturally acidic, cream of tartar helps neutralize their acidity, making it gentler on the stomach. This is especially beneficial for individuals with sensitive stomachs or those prone to acid reflux.

If you add 1 tsp of cream of tartar to a cup of water/juice/tea/coffee and drink it, you will soon get rid of acne. It is because cream of tartar aids in good digestion. A healthy gut is a key to healthy skin. The cream of tartar detox properties keeps the skin acne-free.

Substitutions for baking powder

Make your own: Remember, baking powder is a mixture of baking soda and cream of tartar — which means you can easily make it yourself. Sub for 1 teaspoon baking powder: Combine 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar + 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch or tapioca starch.

As the biscuits rise, the carbon dioxide gas expands, creating pressure on the dough. This pressure can cause the dough to collapse without proper support. Cream of Tartar helps stabilize the dough structure, ensuring the biscuits maintain their shape and rise uniformly.

Cream of tartar is a singular ingredient, while baking powder is a combination of ingredients designed to create the desired chemical reaction. Additionally, cream of tartar is often used in recipes where a stable structure for egg whites is crucial, such as in meringue cookies.