Baking powder commemoration

A bit late on this -- apologies to any who might have missed the ceremony:

The discovery of baking powder – which made baking easier, quicker and more reliable – will be designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark in a special ceremony on June 12 in East Providence, Rhode Island. The American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, sponsors the Landmarks program.

In the mid-19th century, Eben Horsford, a chemist at Harvard University, devised a unique mixture of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and calcium acid phosphate, which he named "yeast powder" and later called baking powder. In the presence of water, the mixture releases carbon dioxide, which leavens biscuits, cookies and quick breads. To prevent a premature chemical reaction, Horsford introduced starch to keep the mixture dry.

Horsford and his business partner, George Wilson, established the Rumford Chemical Works in Rhode Island to market baking powder. Rumford Baking Powder was marketed for decades using the formula first devised by Horsford in the 1850s and refined in the 1860s.

Posted by David on June 22, 2006 2:58 PM