Cream of Tartar / Potassium Bitartrate - Food Grade

Potassium bitartrate, also known as potassium hydrogen tartrate, with formula KC4H5O6, is a byproduct of winemaking. In cooking it is known as cream of tartar. It is the potassium acid salt of tartaric acid (a carboxylic acid).

It can be used in baking or as a cleaning solution


Food:

In food, potassium bitartrate is used for:

Stabilizing egg whites, increasing their warmth tolerance and volume
Stabilizing whipped cream, maintaining its texture and volume
Anti-caking and thickening
Preventing sugar syrups from crystallizing
Reducing discoloration of boiled vegetables

Additionally it is used as a component of:

Baking powder, as an acid ingredient to activate baking soda
Sodium-free salt substitutes, in combination with potassium chloride


Household use:

Potassium bitartrate can be mixed with an acidic liquid such as lemon juice or white vinegar to make a paste-like cleaning agent for metals such as brass, aluminum or copper, or with water for other cleaning applications such as removing light stains from porcelain