Cream of tartar, how to use it for leavening, for ecological cleaning and more.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Il cream of tartar, Also known as potassium bitartrate, is a typology of yeast used for the preparation of desserts and in bread making. It is generally combined with small quantities of sodium bicarbonate to favor the production of carbon dioxide, which will swell the dough.
Its use is suitable for the home preparation of numerous recipes, in replacement some vanilla yeast or normal baking powder. Cream of tartar and organic cream of tartar baking powder can be found in organic food stores, online and in some supermarkets or pharmacies. Natural cream of tartar is made from grapes. This ingredient is not only useful for leavening. Here are some interesting ideas for using cream of tartar in the kitchen, for ecological cleaning, and not only.
Cream of tartar yeast
1) Leavening of bread and cakes
It is the main use of cream of tartar. A normal sachet of cream of tartar is sufficient for leavening dough for cakes and sweets, but also bread, prepared with 500 grams of flour. To activate the leavening, which will take place during cooking, we recommend adding to the dough 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Follow the instructions on the packaging.
2) Homemade yeast
To prepare yours at home instant yeast for cakes you will need to mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar and 1 tablespoon of corn starch. This yeast it can be kept for 6 months in a glass jar. You can increase the doses of ingredients, respecting the proportions. Use 20 grams of homemade yeast for every 500 grams of flour.
Read also: 50 great alternative uses of baking soda
Laundry
3) Revive whites
Cream of tartar is a very useful ingredient for brighten the brightness of white garments that have turned gray. Before moving on to normal hand washing or in washing machine of your laundry, leave the items to be treated to soak all day or overnight in lukewarm water, adding 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar for each liter of water.
4) Pre-treat stains
Pretreating the stains that can form on clothes, tablecloths and napkins is very useful for obtaining a perfect clean after normal washing. To pretreat the grease stains, of food or caused by drinks, apply on them a mixture formed with 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar and 1 teaspoon of ecological liquid detergent for dishes or laundry. Let it act as much as possible before moving on to washing.
Ecological cleaning
5) Cleaning of copper
For a perfect cleaning of copper objects you can use cream of tartar combined with del lemon juice. Add a few drops of lemon juice to a teaspoon of cream of tartar and mix to create a cleansing cream. Apply it on the sponge and wipe it on the copper surfaces. Then rinse and, if needed, polish by rubbing one lemon slice or the inside of the peel.
6) Hob
Remove the spots from the hob will be much easier thanks to the cream of tartar. This remedy is especially effective in case of black tea stains, coffee, broth or sauce that have dried near the stove. Pour a teaspoon of cream of tartar together with a few drops of water on the damp sponge and rub to remove the stains.
7) Non-abrasive detergent
Here's how to get a non-abrasive cleaner, Useful especially for cleaning ceramic surfaces, sinks and health in the presence of stains. Mix 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 3 teaspoons of white wine vinegar (higher or lower quantities are fine, depending on the surfaces to be cleaned). Apply to stains, leave for a few minutes, rub and rinse with soap and water.
8) Stainless steel
Cream of tartar is perfect for cleaning stainless steel surfaces sinks, bathroom and kitchen. To facilitate their cleaning, sprinkle any stains with a teaspoon of cream of tartar, let it act for a few minutes and rub with a damp sponge and a few drops of ecological dish soap.
9) Cleaning the pots
For the cleaning of yours pots in stainless steel or in aluminum, use cream of tartar. It is especially useful for remove more easily grease stains and the encrustations that may have formed on the bottom after cooking. Fill the pot with a liter of boiling water, add two tablespoons of cream of tartar and let it soak as much as possible before washing, or bring to a boil and leave simmer for 10 minutes, so that the residues left on the bottom soften and come off.
Kids
10) Modeling paste
With the cream of tartar you will prepare a fantastic modeling clay, like "didò", for yours children. In a bowl, mix 2 glasses of water, 2 glasses of flour, 1 glass of fine salt, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, a few drops of food coloring (or 1 teaspoon of turmeric, cocoa or cinnamon powder). Pour into a saucepan, heat over medium heat and stir until you get a solid and homogeneous compound. When it cools down, you can work it with your hands to soften it. It can be kept for a long time inside vacuum-sealed plastic containers.
Marta Albè
Photo source: webstaurantstore.com
Read also:
- Types of yeast: which one to use?
- Sourdough: homemade natural yeast
- Gluten-free sourdough: how to prepare it and how to store it
