What is "baking soda"?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline powder with a mildly alkaline taste. It has a fine and powdery texture, similar to that of powdered sugar. Baking soda is made through a chemical process that involves combining sodium carbonate with carbon dioxide. When used in baking, baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients like buttermilk or vinegar to produce carbon dioxide gas, resulting in the expansion and leavening of dough or batter. Apart from baking, baking soda also has various household uses, such as cleaning and deodorizing due to its alkaline properties.