Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a conventional pantry sample. It is used to make the cakes or cookies fluffy or leaven the baked products to a large extent. It is also an effective cleansing agent.
The addition of baking soda is limited since the chemicals and acids in the baking soda can have a detrimental effect on your health. Baking soda is used as a base combined with vinegar, lemon juice, or buttermilk to produce carbon dioxide.
The carbon dioxide which is produced from the baking soda helps the batter and the cake to rise.
Baking soda is actually a key element when it comes to baking products. It also gives a texture to the item and induces a chemical reaction to make the cake fluffy.
If there is no addition of baking soda, then there is a possibility that the cake you make can be stodgy and flat.
Coming to the durability of baking soda depends on how it is preserved. When preserved correctly, baking soda can last for 2 to 3 years without any hassles.
In that case, it must be preserved in a packed and closed container. When you have opened the seal, it can last up to 6 months. The above timeline is tentative and can be subject to changes depending on how you store it.
Let us look into how you store the baking soda, how long it lasts, and how you know if it has expired.
What's In The Post
Does Baking Soda expire?
Before we plunge into the details of how long baking soda lasts, we have to first get to know whether it will turn bad in the first place.
This is a tricky question since, as a rule, baking soda does not expire. However, it may lose its validity or properties a little bit. The sell-by date or the use-by date can be the ballpark estimate to determine whether the baking soda will expire.
However, storing it properly could actually prolong its shelf life even further without any hassles. How you preserve it actually determines whether it can last a little longer than the specified timelines.
How Long Does Baking Soda Last?
As the thumb rule of USDA standards suggests, baking soda actually retains its shelf life for up to 2 or 3 years when stored perfectly.
If stored in the original sealed container, it can last up to 3 years. However, if you open it, it can be retained for at least 6 months.
You have to be careful to validate if it has lost its efficacy in that case. Storage is the main factor in deciding the durability of baking soda.
How To Tell If Baking Soda Has Gone Bad?
There are evident signs to indicate whether the baking soda has gone bad. It will look slightly pale and lifeless or even coarser than before. Discoloration could also be a possible sign.
Apart from that, a duly possible experiment can very much detect whether it has gone bad.
Even if you are buying a new brand of baking soda, it is good to check the sell-by date and test it before it can be put into use. Nobody would be sure how long it has been kept on the shelf or rack and how it has been stored.
The below test will confirm the potency of the baking soda exclusively.
- Add roughly ½ tsp of baking soda in a glass bowl
- Add drops of vinegar or lemon juice to the bowl.
- Look at the reaction
- If the mix fizzes out and bubbles up, then the baking soda is in good condition.
- If it has no reaction, then it is worth discarding immediately without a second thought.
This is an easy test and does not involve lots of crucial ingredients.
How To Store Baking Soda Properly?
One process that hastens the spoilage of baking soda is the improper way of storing it. It should be retained in the same container from which it was purchased and sealed tightly.
Even if it is used or needs to shift to another container, make sure that it is airtight. Any invasion of external air can actually spoil the baking soda completely.
The biggest problem of baking soda is moisture, and you need to make sure that you are keeping away from any access to moisture. Hence avoiding its storage in the fridge would be helpful.
There is also a risk of absorption of unwanted flavors in the baking soda. The baked goods can reek of unwanted flavors and would have lost their originality if you use a cool baking soda from the fridge.
Difference Between Baking Soda And Baking Powder
Baking powder is a combination of baking soda and acetic acid. It has soda and tartar cream in the mix. Once water or liquid is added, it can produce carbon dioxide.
You cannot swap baking soda for baking powder as baking soda already has acetic acid in its components. Using both of them could bring a nice texture to cakes and cookies.
The Other Miscellaneous Purpose Of Baking Soda
Even if baking soda has gone bad, you can use it for a myriad of purposes other than culinary applications. It is an excellent cleansing agent and can be used for cleaning floors and bathroom tiles.
It whitens the surface and is hence used on all rusty layers as well to clear off stains. Baking soda can also be leveraged as a deodorizing agent that brings a beautiful aroma to the place. It also keeps the refrigerator box so smelly and extremely aromatic.
How Long Does Baking Soda Last After The Expiration Date?
The expiration date specifies that the baking soda is about to be spoiled soon. Using the baking soda a couple of months after the expiration date would not be harmful.
However, constant validation of the baking soda would serve the purpose. Check the freshness as mentioned above and decide if you can still consume it.
Can Baking Soda Be Frozen?
As mentioned above, the main enemy of baking soda is moisture, so you have to ensure that it is stored in an airtight container without any external air intrusion. Any amount of moisture from the freezer could be harmful.
If you freeze the baking soda, you will definitely prolong its shelf life a little longer than intended. However, bring it to room temperature before leveraging or consuming it.
Conclusion
Baking soda is a useful ingredient in all pastry items and also in many other recipes. You have to make sure that the baking soda is good enough to be leveraged.
The above article will be a nice guideline to determine how long does baking soda last. The methods of storing the baking soda and other applications of baking soda are also well elaborated in this article for your acknowledgment and awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does baking soda last?
As the thumb rule of USDA standards suggests, baking soda actually retains its shelf life for up to 2 or 3 years when stored perfectly. If stored in the original sealed container, it can last up to 3 years. However, if you open it, it can be retained for at least 6 months.
Does baking soda expire?
This is a tricky question since, as a rule, baking soda does not expire. However, it may lose its validity or properties a little bit. The sell-by date or the use-by date can be the ballpark estimate to determine whether the baking soda will expire.
How to store baking soda properly?
One process that hastens the spoilage of baking soda is the improper way of storing it. It should be retained in the same container from which it was purchased and sealed tightly. Even if it is used or needs to shift to another container, make sure that it is airtight. Any invasion of external air can actually spoil the baking soda completely.
What is the difference between baking soda and baking powder?
Baking powder is a combination of baking soda and acetic acid. It has soda and tartar cream in the mix. Once water or liquid is added, it can produce carbon dioxide. You cannot swap baking soda for baking powder as baking soda already has acetic acid in its components.
What are the other purposes of baking soda?
Even if baking soda has gone bad, you can use it for a myriad of purposes other than culinary applications. It is an excellent cleansing agent and can be used for cleaning floors and bathroom tiles.
