Today, December 30th, is National Bicarbonate of Soda Day.

Bicarbonate of soda, technically sodium hydrogen carbonate, is a salt known by many names, such as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate and cooking soda.

A naturally occurring salt, it is a common food additive, as well as a cleaning product. Bicarbonate of soda is a leavening agent which reacts with the acids in batters and produces carbon dioxide, expanding the batter. It is used in many different types of baked and fried food.

Image: By Thavox (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons