Cream of Tartar Uses

Cream of tartar is the common name of potassium hydrogen tartrate. It is formed during grape wine making, as a byproduct. When grape juice ferments, potassium bitartrate crystallizes in the wine cask and can precipitate out of the wine. These crystals also appear in fresh grape juice, which is allowed to stand or chilled for some time. They are removed by filtering the juice between 2 layers of cheesecloth and then purified to produce the cream of tartar used commercially today. While its popular use is as a culinary and baking addition, cream of tartar uses also include household cleaning and polishing tasks, such as stain removal.

How is Cream of Tartar Used in Cooking?
Despite its acidic properties, cream of tartar is a good culinary addition to baked goods, for it does not leave any odor and does not affect the taste of the finished product. Common uses in baking are:

• Cream of tartar adds volume and stabilizes egg whites.
• It prevents sugar from crystallizing, and hence a small amount of it is added to icings, syrups and caramels, for a creamier texture.
• Cream of tartar can be added to boiling vegetables, to prevent discoloration.
• It can be used as a sodium-free salt substitute, when combined with potassium chloride.
• Whipped cream stiffness is stabilized, on adding cream of tartar.
• It is used as an antioxidant for foods.
• One of the best known cream of tartar uses, is in baking powder. If you run out of baking powder, here's how to make some, using cream of tartar : Mix 2 parts of cream of tartar with 1 part cornstarch and 1 part baking soda.
• Foods that contain cream of tartar are soft drinks, candies, gelatin desserts, soufflés, meringues, angel food cake, chiffon cakes.

Other Uses of Cream of Tartar
Prior to usage, please test whether cream of tartar is suitable for that surface, by applying a small amount on an inconspicuous area.

• Cream of tartar makes an effective stain remover. Make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar, for stained sinks or bathtubs.
• It is also used to clean brass, aluminum, stainless steel and copper cookery.
• Make a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar to remove ink stains.
• It can be used to clean hair dye stains, body fluid stains and grass stains from fabric.
• It can be used to make craft dough for kids. Recipe: Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt and 2 tablespoons, cream of tartar in a pan. Stir in 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon oil and a few drops of food coloring. Heat this mixture at medium heat, and stir well, until a ball is formed. Leave to cool, then store in plastic bag for use.
• Cream of tartar makes a good ant repellent. Sprinkle some of it around an ant hole or on cracks and near your doorway, to keep ants at bay.
• It is highly effective in rust removal from fabrics and bathroom furniture.

It is commonly found in the spice or baking section of grocery stores. Cream of tartar has a infinite shelf life, if the container is kept tightly closed and away from heat. Though it does not spoil, check the color and texture for freshness. It should be dry and powdery in texture, with no lumps. And it has a pure white color. If dark spots are present, then some other spice has contaminated it. Good cream of tartar substitutes are white vinegar and lemon juice. But it takes 3 times more vinegar or lemon juice to make up the cream of tartar needed in cooking or baking. And sometimes, to make up for the bitterness, you may need to add a little sugar, if you are baking something sweet. Cream of tartar uses are varied and multiple in number, proving the usefulness of this simple, white salt.