Cream of tartar (Potassium hydrogen tartrate)
Other names: Potassium Bitartrate, Cream of tartar, potassium bitartrate, tartar crystals, Weinstein
Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)
Tartar, also known as potassium hydrogen tartrate, potassium bitartrate, cream of tartar, potash or tartar crystals, is a natural acid found in grapes and wine yeast. It is a white powder with no distinct taste or smell, the main component of which is tartaric acid. In the past, this substance was obtained directly from the wine cellars where it settled at the bottom of the barrels, but today it is mostly produced artificially.
It is widely used in the food industry, for example in baking. It is added to flour or bread dough as a leavening powder. This makes the bread rise well, is fluffy and has a nice texture. It is also used in the confectionery industry, for example in making sugar dough or whipping egg whites. It also enters into the composition of certain types of wine and spirits, where it acts as a stabiliser. It finds further use in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is a component of some medicines, especially those for digestion. Last but not least, tartar is used in cosmetics, specifically in certain types of toothpaste or shower gels.
Cream of tartar (Potassium hydrogen tartrate) can be found in the following products
