Extraordinary Uses for Cream of Tartar That You Shouldn’t Miss

Cream of tartar is not the white sauce that you eat with food; it is an acidic salt which has many uses, in and out of the kitchen.

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. While its popular use is as a culinary and baking addition, cream of tartar is also used in household cleaning and polishing tasks, such as stain removal.

Uses in Cooking

Despite its acidic properties, cream of tartar is a good culinary addition to baked goods, as it does not leave any odor and does not affect the taste of the finished product.

• It 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.
• It can be added to boiling vegetables to prevent discoloration.
• It can be used as a sodium-free salt substitute, when combined with potassium chloride.

• It helps in stabilizing whipped cream stiffness.
• It is used as an antioxidant for foods.
• Baking powder can be made by mixing 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, and chiffon cakes.

Other Uses

• Cream of tartar makes an effective stain remover. A paste of hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar can be used to clean stained sinks or bathtubs.
• It is also used to clean brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper cookery.
• A paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar works well in removing ink stains.
• It can be used to clean hair dye stains, body fluid stains, and grass stains from fabrics.

• It can also 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 it to cool, then store it in a 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.

Note: Prior to usage, please test whether cream of tartar is suitable for that surface by applying a small amount of it on an inconspicuous area.

Cream of tartar is commonly found in the spice or baking section of grocery stores. It has a infinite shelf life if the container is kept tightly closed and away from heat. Though it does not spoil, before using it, check the color and texture for freshness. It should be dry and powdery in texture, with no lumps. And it should have 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.

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