FREE DELIVERY ABOVE $60

Popular

Flour-less Fudge Brownies

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Almond Flour Brownies

Almond Flour Shortcakes
Account
Cart

Author: RedmanShop

Posted on by — Leave a reply

What Is Tapioca Flour & Where Does It Come From?

What Is Tapioca Flour & Where Does It Come From?

By: RedmanShop | January 4, 2025

Even if you’re not an avid baker, you’ve probably heard about tapioca flour once or twice. Often considered a baker’s secret ingredient, tapioca flour is just the thing you need to take your favorite recipe to the next level. If you’ve ever made a stew that was too watery or a pizza crust that didn’t quite have the chewy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside crust that you were hoping for, then you’ve had reason to use tapioca flour.

Though incorporating starches into your baking routine might be a new concept to you, it’s been around for years. Starches are an excellent way to amp up the texture of any recipe. Whether you’d like to thicken up your favorite pie pudding or create the ooey-gooey gluten free cookies that you have saved on your Pinterest board, tapioca flour is your new best friend.

At RedMan, we know just how useful starches can be. To help you get started, we created this all-in-one guide to tapioca flour. Use it to learn more about this helpful starch and determine which of your favorite recipes would benefit from it. Let’s get started!

Tapioca Powder

Tapioca is a starch that derives from the cassava root. This starch is extracted through a process of washing and pulping. Once enough wet pulp has been gathered, it is then squeezed to extract the starchy liquid. This cassava starch is a dietary staple in various countries in Africa, Asia and South America.

Tapioca starch is an essential ingredient in gluten free baking and a favorite amongst those following a paleo diet. Naturally gluten free, tapioca flour can serve as a wheat substitute in a variety of gluten free recipes.

Because this cassava starch is both odorless and tasteless, it makes it easy to add to any recipe (savory or sweet) without changing the flavor of the recipe itself. When added to baked goods, tapioca starch helps the ingredients properly bind together.

A function that gluten is often used for. Tapioca starch’s binding abilities help bakers achieve baked goods that are fluffy, light and spongy in texture. Like many other starches, tapioca flour can also be used as a thickening agent in soups, stews and puddings.

How to Cook with Tapioca Flour

Have some tapioca flour in your cupboard that you’re not sure how to use? We’ve got you covered. Like other starches, tapioca flour works as a great thickening agent when added to liquid-based foods. However, there are a few differences between tapioca flour and other starches. One of the most notable differences is that tapioca flour retains its texture even after it’s been frozen. This means that when using tapioca starch, you no longer have to worry about freezing the leftover soup you’ve made. Simply place it in the freezer, let it thaw once you’re ready to eat, and enjoy! It will still have the same thick and creamy texture that it had before.

If you already use starches in your baked goods and want to change things up, then try using small tapioca pearls to make this Easy Tapioca Pudding. Simple to make, this creamy dessert is the perfect comfort food!

Where to Purchase Tapioca Flour

Now that you know a little more about tapioca flour, it’s time to start using it in your recipes. Our Bob’s Red Mill Tapioca Flour is one of our most versatile gluten free flours. Certified gluten free, paleo, kosher, vegan and non-GMO, this flour comes straight from the cassava plant itself. No extra processing or ingredients necessary! Use it as a thickening agent or to make delicious desserts like bubble tea.

Tapioca Flour Uses

Now that you know what tapioca flour is, it’s time to start using it! When baking or cooking with tapioca flour, we recommend using it alongside other gluten free flours such as almond flour. This will help ensure that your recipe achieves the desired consistency. It’s also important to note how much liquid is in the recipe.

When combined with liquid, tapioca flour will turn into a paste-like substance that can then be stirred into the rest of the recipe. Tapioca flour’s water-absorbing capabilities make it perfect when adding moisture to baked recipes or used to thicken sauces. Because it is tasteless and odorless, it can be added to a recipe without changing the flavor.

Use It as a Thickening Agent

Want to thicken your favorite soup recipe without using traditional flour? Use tapioca flour! Despite its name, tapioca flour is a starch that makes a great gluten free thickener. Instead of using wheat flour to thicken a soup or dressing, you can use tapioca flour to achieve the same effect. Commonly substituted at a 1:1 1/2 ratio, we recommend first creating a slurry of tapioca flour and then adding it to your recipe. Doing so will ensure that the tapioca flour is evenly distributed and help prevent clumping.

Another thing we love about tapioca flour is the ability to enhance the appearance of a dish. When combined with liquid, tapioca flour will give a meal a glossy finish, unlike cornstarch, which is known for producing more of a matte finish. While a glossy finish works well with pies and salad dressings, it might not be the perfect match for a gravy dish. Knowing how and when to use tapioca flour is key to perfecting your favorite recipe.

Use It to Add Structure to Baked Goods

Tapioca flour is excellent for baking! Especially when it comes to gluten free goods. Adding just the right amount of tapioca flour to your baked treats will create a light, airy, crispy and chewy texture. Perfect for adding to bread, cookies, brownies and pie crusts, tapioca flour is a great way to ensure that your ingredients bind together without using gluten! When measuring out tapioca flour, it’s crucial to get it just right. While adding the right amount will help you achieve the perfect texture, adding too much could turn your treats into a gummy mess.

Use it to Make Bubble Tea

Lastly, step out of your kitchen comfort zone and use tapioca flour to make bubble tea! To make a perfect tapioca pearl dough or boba pearl, simply add hot water and food coloring to tapioca flour. Then follow along with your favorite bubble tea recipe to create the perfect boba pearl. A fun and unique treat, be sure to buy extra-wide straws to drink your milk tea with tapioca balls. It’s half the fun!

The Difference Between Tapioca Flour and Cassava Flour

You may be wondering what the difference between tapioca flour and cassava flour is, especially since they both come from the same plant. While the terms tapioca flour and cassava flour may sometimes be used interchangeably, these two flours are incredibly different. As we discussed earlier, tapioca flour is made by extracting the starch from the cassava root through a method of washing and pulping.

Cassava flour, on the other hand, uses a significantly different method. When making cassava flour, the whole root of the cassava plant is used. To make this flour, the root is peeled, dried, and ground. Because the entire root is used, cassava has much more dietary fiber than tapioca flour, which creates a different result when adding to recipes.

Ready to start adding tapioca flour to your recipes? Try it out in the Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie. The perfect comfort food to any season, adding tapioca flour to your pie, has several benefits. Adding this flour to the pie filling will help thicken it to the desired consistency. Whereas mixing tapioca flour into the gluten free crust will work to unite the ingredients together and create a light, airy and flaky treat. This creamy dinner can be made the night beforehand, or cooked and enjoyed the same day. Make it as one big pie to slice out, or turn it into six individual pies for the entire family to enjoy!

Now that we’ve answered the question “What is tapioca flour,” we hope that you have a better understanding of this incredible starch! From gluten free recipes to boba tea, we’re confident that this guide will inspire you to create something great with tapioca flour. Because each dish is different, it’s important to remember that tapioca flour won’t work in every recipe. Follow these guidelines and get to know this excellent ingredient and some of the tapioca flour substitutes. We know you’ll come up with something delicious! From everyone at Bob’s Red Mill, Happy Baking!

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Fava Beans Health Benefits

Fava Beans Health Benefits

By: RedmanShop | January 4, 2025

If you recently tried a fava bean-based dish and loved it, then you’re probably searching for more ways that you can incorporate this bean into your diet. Fava beans, also known as broad beans, are legumes regularly consumed in Southern Europe, Northern Europe, East Asia, Latin America and North Africa. Most popular during springtime when they’re harvested, fava beans are one of the oldest known foods and have been cultivated and consumed for nearly 10,000 years.

Quickly becoming popular worldwide, fava beans are available at most grocery stores in dried, canned and fresh varieties. You can use these beans to make soup, stews, paste and even falafel. And while there’s no doubt that this legume is excellent tasting, one of the questions often asked is if it has any health benefits. If you plan on cooking with fava beans and want to ensure that you add nutritional value to your meals, you’re in luck. This article will dive into fava beans health benefits and provide recipes you can try today.

The Benefits of Fava Beans

The benefits of fava beans are plentiful. Fava beans are rich in many nutrients, which promote better health in unique ways. Since cultivation, fava beans have been used to treat many ailments and are one of the most inexpensive ways to meet your daily nutrient requirements. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of fava beans and what makes them a great addition to a healthy diet.

Fava Beans Are a Source of Folate

Fava beans are a quality source of folate—a vital vitamin for energy metabolism. Sufficient folate levels support the nervous system’s function and assist in synthesizing DNA, RNA, and red blood cells. Eating a diet rich in beans can help boost your folate intake and may decrease your risk of certain diseases and depression.

Fava Beans Increase Iron Intake

Meeting your daily requirement for iron is essential to good health. Iron helps produce red blood cells and provides your body with a primary cellular energy source known as adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. A diet lacking iron may make you more susceptible to developing anemia and other health problems. One serving—1/4 cup of fava beans—provides 10% of your daily recommended iron intake. The iron found in fava beans is in non-heme form and not as easily absorbed by the body. However, you can quickly increase the amount that you absorb by combining fava beans with meat or a source of vitamin C. Enjoying fava beans as a side dish to steak, chicken, or fish is an excellent way to incorporate both forms of iron into your diet.

Fava Beans Contain Dietary Fiber

Incorporating fava beans into your meals can work wonders for your digestive health. Like most legumes, fava beans contain two types of fiber—soluble and insoluble. However, they are especially rich in insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber promotes a healthy digestive system, regularity and a balanced gut biome, and eating adequate amounts of it will help keep your body feeling its best. 1/4 cup of cooked fava beans supplies 29% of an adult’s daily dietary fiber requirement.

Fava Beans Are an Excellent Meat Substitute

Fava beans are a good source of protein and iron, making them a fantastic meat substitute. Protein is a nutrient required by the body to perform basic tasks, and without it, It’s nearly impossible for us to function. Our skin, brain cells, muscles, hair and nails all require protein to remain healthy and strong. The issue is that many people following a plant-based diet find it hard to fill their meals with protein-rich ingredients. Meat is often recognized as one of the most protein-rich foods around. However, many plant-based protein sources, like fava beans, provide just as much, if not more, of it. Adding fava beans to soups and salads or using them to create a plant-based burger alternative is an excellent way to ensure that you meet your daily protein requirements.

Now that you know just how great fava beans are for you, you can begin adding them to your homemade meals. Work fava beans into recipes that you already know you love, or search our online recipe book to find a new bean-based dish to create. Fava beans can be added to nearly any soup or stew recipe and are an excellent substitute for lima beans when you don’t have any on hand. Share your favorite fava bean meals with us in the comments below. We can’t wait to see what you come up with. From the Bob’s Red Mill family to yours, happy cooking!

Posted on by — Leave a reply

The beginner’s guide to sourdough baking

The beginner’s guide to sourdough baking

By: RedmanShop | January 3, 2025

Want to make sourdough bread, but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place.

We’ve pulled together our sourdough resources to create a guide that takes you from beginner to baker. Start by making (or buying!) a sourdough starter, learn how to feed and maintain it, then begin baking with our classic recipes. Don’t know the tools you actually need? Unsure what to do with all that discard? We’ve got you covered there, too. Let’s get baking.

If you want to make your own sourdough starter from scratch

To make your own sourdough starter, you only need three things: flour, water, and time. You’ll start by combining equal parts flour and water. Let that mixture rest at room temperature, and then regularly discard some of it and refresh with more flour and water. As the mixture sits over the course of several days, it will begin to cultivate a flourishing community of microorganisms (which is what makes your bread rise) and slowly become bubbly and vigorous.

You’ll keep up a regular schedule of refreshing (or “feeding”) the starter twice a day, every 12 hours, until it doubles in size within six to eight hours. This can take anywhere from five to 14 days, depending on conditions. (So if you’re not seeing much activity, just be patient! And feel free to call our Baker’s Hotline for troubleshooting and advice.) Once the starter has reached this point, you can start baking with it or keep maintaining it until ready to use. (See “How to maintain sourdough starter” below.)

Instead of taking days to make a starter from scratch, you can have one delivered in the mail. Our fresh sourdough starter is a mature, ready-to-use sourdough culture. You’ll just need to refresh it with flour and water (in other words, “feed” it) until it’s bubbly and doubles in size within six to eight hours. Then, it’s ready to bake, or to be stored and maintained until you want to use it. (See “How to maintain sourdough starter” below.)

Wait, did someone give you some of their starter? If someone gifts you some of their starter, the best thing to do is to feed it immediately. Combine equal parts (by weight) starter, flour, and water, and let sit at room temperature. Gauge how active the sourdough starter is: Did it double in volume in six to eight hours? If so, it’s ready to store and maintain for future use, or to bake with right now.

Did the starter not double in volume? Feed it again. Continue these maintenance feeds every 12 hours at room temperature until the starter doubles in size in six to eight hours. Then get baking, or store it according to your maintenance schedule.

How to maintain sourdough starter

Generally, there are two routines you may choose to maintain your sourdough starter. Depending on your choice, here’s how often to feed sourdough starter:

  • Twice daily at room temperature: If you’re a regular sourdough baker, the best way to have ripe starter when you need it is to keep your starter on the counter at room temperature and feed it twice daily, about every 12 hours.
  • Once a week in the fridge: If you’re a more casual sourdough baker, it’s easiest to keep your starter in the fridge and feed it once a week. (We recommend leaving it on the counter for a few hours after feeding to start fermenting before returning it to the fridge.) Then, a day or two before you want to bake, give it a couple of feedings at room temperature before using it to bake.

To feed sourdough starter, you simply discard some of the existing starter, then replace it with flour and water. Essentially, you’re giving the starter’s microorganisms food (in the form of flour) to keep them happy and healthy. Once fed, the starter will become active and bubbly again, doubling in volume before it exhausts itself and begins to sink back down.

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Soy Milk vs. Almond Milk Protein

Soy Milk vs. Almond Milk Protein

By: RedmanShop | January 3, 2025

Plant-based milk has been around for centuries. However, it has only recently begun appearing on grocery store shelves. With more people choosing plant milk over dairy milk for numerous reasons, the non dairy milk section is getting crowded. If you recently decided to swap dairy with plant milk, you might wonder how the popular varieties like soy milk and almond milk stack up against each other. To help you better determine which plant milk is suitable for your diet, we’ve created this guide covering the basics of soy milk vs. almond milk protein and its benefits.

What Is Soy Milk?

Soy milk is plant milk made from soybeans. It’s a popular alternative to dairy milk made by soaking and grinding soybeans. Soy milk is available at most grocery stores in sweetened and unsweetened varieties. It is often fortified with vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D. Soy milk can also be made at home and enjoyed as a beverage.

Soy Milk Nutrition

There are several types of soy milk available for purchase, and the nutritional facts will vary depending on the one you buy. Many kinds of soy milk contain added sugar and flavorings, creating plant milk that’s high in calories. For the most nutritious soy milk, search for one that uses minimal ingredients and sweeteners. Natural soy milk tends to be relatively healthy and acts as a source of protein and fiber.

What Is Almond Milk?

Almond milk is a nut-based milk alternative that’s quickly growing in popularity. Its light flavor makes it a favorite amongst dairy-free individuals. Almond milk is made by soaking, grinding and straining raw almonds into a milk-like liquid. It is an excellent alternative to dairy milk and can be used in various recipes.

Almond Milk Nutrition

Though almond milk is nutritious on its own, manufacturers usually fortify it with additional vitamins and minerals like calcium, riboflavin, vitamin D and vitamin E to create a more rich nutritional content.

Soy Milk Protein

Soy milk is a source of plant-based protein, making it an excellent milk alternative for vegans and vegetarians looking to incorporate more of this nutrient into their diet. While many plant proteins lack the essential amino acids to be a complete protein, soy milk contains all nine essential amino acids required. Your body uses these amino acids to create new proteins, which help boost immune system function, produce energy, facilitate nutrient absorption and aid in tissue repair.

How Does Soy Protein Compare to Meat?

Soy protein is a high-quality protein. Compared to meat, soy contains comparable amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals without the extra cholesterol and saturated fat typically found in meat.

Almond Milk Protein

Almonds, in their complete form, are often labeled a superfood. This is because they contain vitamins, protein and other nutrients vital to good health. However, that doesn’t mean that a glass of almond milk has the same nutritional benefits. For example, while almonds are naturally high in protein, the protein found in almond milk isn’t comparable to the protein in dairy milk. In addition, unlike dairy milk, almond milk is mostly water. This high percentage of water means that it contains a small percentage of almonds and their nutrients.

How Does Almond Milk Protein Compare to Soy Milk?

Compared to soy milk protein, almond milk is not a complete source of protein. Because it does not contain all nine essential amino acids, other foods are needed to complete the protein source and provide you with the health benefits.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Soy Milk vs. Almond Milk

Benefits of Soy Milk

Aside from being a source of high-quality protein, soy milk also offers many other health benefits.

Soy Milk Is a Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Soy milk is full of beneficial nutrients. Vitamins and minerals are an essential part of a healthy diet, and soy milk contains many. In addition, drinking soy milk can increase your intake of essential nutrients like calcium and iron, which work to keep your bones, blood vessels and tissue healthy and strong. Whether you drink soy milk straight from the glass or use it in baked good recipes, it is an excellent boost of nutrition.

Soy Milk Is Vegan

Soy milk is an excellent milk alternative for individuals who avoid dairy products. Aside from being a high-quality plant based protein source, soy milk is incredibly versatile. Its mild flavor and milk-like texture make it easy to recreate your favorite recipes sans animal products. You may notice slight flavor differences when first drinking soy milk. However, most people adjust to the taste of it quickly.

Soybeans Contain Antioxidants

Soybeans contain potent antioxidants that work hard to protect your cells from damage known as oxidative stress. When molecules called free radicals cause damage to your cells, it results in oxidative stress, which is attributed to aging, illness and disease. So consuming antioxidant-rich foods like soybeans help better protect your cells to keep you healthy and youthful.

Disadvantages of Soy Milk

Soy Milk Is a High-Allergen Food

While soy milk is an excellent dairy alternative, it’s not for everyone. Individuals with soy allergies should avoid soy milk and consume other plant based milk alternatives like almond milk. Additionally, people with a soy allergy will need to check food labels frequently as soy milk is in many processed foods.

Soy Milk Can Be High in Sugar

When purchasing pre-made soy milk, check the label for processed sugars and additives. Flavored and sweetened soy milk can quickly boost calorie intake without offering extra nutritional value. We recommend choosing an unsweetened, unflavored and minimally processed variety for the best quality soy milk.

Benefits of Almond Milk

While almond milk is not a source of high-quality protein, it does offer up some pretty impressive benefits. Here are a few of the most noteworthy.

Almond Milk Is Low in Carbs

Unsweetened almond milk is naturally low in carbs, making it an excellent option for individuals following a low-carb diet like the ketogenic one. Additionally, the small amount of carbs that almond milk does contain is primarily dietary fiber, which is crucial to good gut health. When searching for low-carb options for almond milk, stick to unsweetened varieties that don’t contain additives, artificial flavors, or sugars.

Almond Milk Is Vegan

Like soy milk, almond milk is a vegan alternative to cow’s milk. It’s made from almonds and water and is an excellent option for people who need to limit dairy, no matter the reason. Almond milk can be enjoyed as a drink, combined with cereal, or used to create delicious baked goods. Great-tasting and versatile, the possibilities are endless.

Almond Milk Is Widely Available

Almond milk is a popular plant based drink found in most grocery stores. Its widely available nature and pleasant flavor make it easy for those with dairy, soy and lactose allergies to enjoy. Additionally, almond milk is easy to make and can be made at home with just a few ingredients.

Disadvantages of Almond Milk

Almond Milk is Not Safe for Individuals with Tree Nut Allergies

While almond milk is lactose free, dairy free, gluten free and vegan, that doesn’t mean that it is an appropriate and safe milk alternative for everyone. For example, individuals with a tree nut allergy should not consume almond milk, as they can suffer from a severe allergic reaction. Instead, we recommend choosing different plant based milk such as soy, oat or hemp milk.

It’s Not a Great Source of Protein

Though almond milk does have some protein, it’s not a good source. Almond milk contains more water than it does almonds, meaning that many of almonds’ nutrients are not as concentrated as they would be if you ate the almonds whole. While almond milk is a good alternative to dairy-based milk, it’s not the best option for those looking to add more protein to their diet.

If you’re looking for an alternative to cow’s milk, almond milk and soy milk are excellent places to start. Both unique in their ways, soy milk provides high-quality protein and nutrients and is ideal for individuals looking to boost the nutritional value of their meals. In comparison, almond milk offers a low-calorie and low-carb alternative, beneficial for those who follow low-carb diets like the ketogenic diet. Depending on your dietary needs and restrictions, we encourage you to incorporate one or both of these plant based milk into your weekly menu and try them out for yourself. From everyone at RedMan, we wish you a happy and healthy day!

Do you have a preference when it comes to plant based milk? We’d love to hear about the dairy-free ingredients you use in at-home recipes. Share your favorites with us in the comments below!

Posted on by — Leave a reply

How Do You Store Leftover Icing

How Do You Store Leftover Icing

By: RedmanShop | January 3, 2025

You’ve just finished making another delicious dessert! You step back to look at your beautiful creation and let the feeling of accomplishment sink in. Then you look at the bowl still half-full of unused royal icing sitting between the remnants of egg whites and a pile of piping bags.

This raises two important questions – how do you store this leftover icing and how long is it still good for? Well, thankfully, the experts here at Wilton have the answers to those important questions.

You can store freshly created royal icing made with meringue powder in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Before using it on another dessert, all you need to do is beat it well in a mixing bowl at low speed.

Now if you don’t have plans to use the icing within 2 weeks, another option is to pipe out your decorations and let them harden. Hardened royal icing decorations can be placed in an airtight container in a dry, dark place to prevent fading for up to 6 months or stored in a covered, NON-airtight container (like a cake box) for years! They’re great to have on hand for future bakes that need some decoration.

NYou should NEVER store royal icing decorations in the freezer.

If you’re looking for hints and tips on how to store other types of dessert toppings, we’ve got you covered with our expert guides on How to Store Buttercream Frosting and How to Store Fondant.

Hopefully, with these storage tips, you can extend the life of your icing, frosting or fondant and get more use out of them!

Posted on by — Leave a reply

What Is Heavy Cream?

What Is Heavy Cream?

By: RedmanShop | January 2, 2025

Baking soda can serve many purposes. With its slightly bitter and salty taste, it works in conjunction with baking powder to act as a leavening agent in many baked goods. Due to its unique and highly alkaline composition, baking soda can also be used for cleaning, deodorizing, beauty products, insect bite relief, natural mouthwash, weed killer and much more.

We have all encountered baking soda at some point in our lives. The multipurpose and multifunctional, naturally occurring chemical seems to be everywhere. In our pantries, cleaning products, refrigerators, and, of course, recipes. Though baking soda is widely known and utilized, many are still unfamiliar with the core of what it does or to the extent; it is necessary in recipes.

Commonly used as a leavening agent in baked goods, baking soda is often confused with its counterpart leavening agent, baking powder. What’s the difference between baking soda vs baking powder? To understand how baking soda works and why it is unique, we must understand what baking soda really is.

What Is Baking Soda?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally occurring crystalline chemical compound but is often found in powder form. Although baking soda is naturally occurring, it is often mined and, through a chemical process, created. Most baking sodas found commercially in the United States come from ore mined in Wyoming. The ore is heated until it turns to soda ash, and then it is combined with carbon dioxide to create the chemical baking soda. That being said, naturally occurring baking soda is also still available and is mined in the form of nahcolite. Nahcolite is the form of sodium bicarbonate that is most natural and has no chemical additives. Bob’s Red Mill is proud to sell natural baking soda that has not been chemically produced.

Baking soda is highly versatile and when used by itself or combined with additional compounds, can lend itself as a remedy for multiple different uses. Valued for its cleaning and baking properties, baking soda has been used for thousands of years. Use of baking soda dates back to Ancient Egypt when it was used as a cleaning and drying agent in the process of mummification. Baking soda became commercially available during the mid-19th century and has since become a staple in most homes, whether it’s in cleaning products, beauty products, or even in a wide range of cooking and baking recipes.

How Does Baking Soda Work?

Baking soda is most commonly used in baking as a leavening agent, hence its name. Before the commercialization of baking soda, biological leavening and fermentation processes were used but less convenient due to the extensive length of time associated with biological leavening. As most have formerly learned through science class and experimental measures, when a base meets an acidic ingredient like buttermilk, sour cream or lemon juice, a chemical reaction occurs. This concept is the same for baking soda as it pertains to baking. When baking soda is mixed with an acid and a liquid, it will create bubbles of carbon dioxide gas that give it a fluffy texture. That being said, baking soda can react without acid if it is warmed above 122°F or subject to long-term heat and humidity. If baking soda is stored within reasonable temperatures (at or below 77°F and 75% humidity), it will keep indefinitely.

Baking soda is generally used as an active ingredient in quick-bake recipes such as cookies, muffins, and pancakes. This is because of the fast-acting chemical reaction associated with baking soda and the acidic counterpart. When baking soda is combined with acid, CO2 gas bubbles are released, creating the “airy” effect in batter and dough. Furthermore, once the dough or batter starts to bake, the carbon dioxide will begin to filter through the dough and expand air that is trapped inside. The sources of acid combined with the baking soda will determine if the dough or batter can be kept in the refrigerator or needs to be baked immediately.

For example, if the sources of acid are dry, such as cream of tartar or cocoa powder, then they can keep longer once combined with baking soda. However, if the acids are wet, such as yogurt or lemon juice, then the resulting batter will need to be used promptly. Baking soda can also provide dough with increased pH levels, which creates a heightened alkalinity. Through the increase in pH, the gluten in the dough becomes weakened, which creates a tender texture for cookies and pastries versus something chewier such as bread. Quantity is an important component, considering the effect baking soda has on baking recipes.

Baking Soda for Household Use

Baking soda is a versatile product that has many household uses simply by itself or when combined with other products. Due to its coarse salt-like nature, baking soda can be used as a scrub of sorts for fruits and vegetables, grills, countertops and even teeth. Commonly added to many kinds of toothpaste, baking soda is a natural powerhouse cleaning product. Baking soda is widely used as a refrigerator deodorant of sorts because some believe it neutralizes lingering odor. Chemically, baking soda reacts in a similar fashion when it is used in baking recipes such as muffins and scones as it does with odors. This is because baking soda is basic and most odors are acidic, and this provides for a similar atmosphere for a neutralizing reaction to occur.

Baking soda and vinegar are not only baking partners in crime, but also stellar cleaning partners, due to their chemical composition. When combined in baking recipes, baking soda and vinegar (or acid) work together harmoniously to create the leavening process of batters and doughs. Similarly, when combined for cleaning purposes, baking soda and vinegar create an abrasive environment that is tough on stains, dirt, and clogged drains. As previously mentioned, when baking soda is heated above 122°F, it creates carbon dioxide. This is what makes baking soda a great fire extinguisher and why it remains one of best ways to put out a grease fire. The increase of carbon dioxide cuts off the fire’s source of oxygen, creating an environment that is not sustainable for the fire.

Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder

Similar to baking soda, baking powder is a leavening agent used in quick-bake recipes. Often confused and mistaken for one another, these two interact within recipes in different ways and are very different in composition. It is important to consider the differences between both baking soda and baking powder when exploring baking recipes. As previously mentioned, baking soda is a leavening agent that, when mixed with acid and liquid, becomes activated and produces CO2 bubbles. Similarly, baking powder is a leavening agent that produces CO2 bubbles. However, the composition is one of the major differences.

Baking powder is composed of baking soda itself, paired with another dry acid, such as cream of tartar. As a result, baking powder has the ability to be single or double acting. Single-acting baking powder performs in a similar way to baking soda that has been combined with an acid. It quickly releases CO2 and creates the leavening process that must be quickly taken advantage of. However, a double-acting baking powder can be activated twice through different means. Once the liquid is added to the baking powder, it becomes activated and produces the CO2 bubbles.

In addition to the first activation, there is a secondary activation that can take place once the solution, or batter, is exposed to heat (placed in the oven). This also creates the ability for an elongated time frame that is not present within the reaction caused with baking soda and acid. This means that because baking powder is activated by liquid and already has the dry acid component (cream of tartar), it can be preserved in the refrigerator longer. This is why items such as cookie dough can remain in the refrigerator, while cake batter must be cooked promptly.

Why Is Baking Soda Important?

Baking soda is an important and fundamental component of most baked goods and many cleaning products for several reasons. It is the driving force behind the desired consistency and taste of most of our quick-bake treats, and the powerhouse cleaning agent in many of our household products. Through the chemical reaction created by combining baking soda with liquid, acid, and heat, carbon dioxide is created. These tiny CO2 gas bubbles allow for soft and airy baked goods such as cookies, pancakes, and cakes. Baking soda also increases pH levels while reducing gluten. This creates less chewy and more tender baked goods. Though baking soda recipes call for seemingly small amounts, it makes all the difference if you don’t have it. Baking soda has become an integral part of baking recipes and household use, and without it, we may not have the ability to get our fast, fresh-baked, tender, and crunchy cookie fix!

Don’t have baking soda around? Here are baking soda replacements and substitutes you can use instead.

Posted on by — Leave a reply

How Long Are Pots & Pans Supposed to Last

How Long Are Pots & Pans Supposed to Last

By: RedmanShop | December 12, 2024

If you cook in the kitchen often, you’re probably used to checking the expiration date of certain food items, especially perishables like milk and cheese. It’s relatively easy to tell when these items go bad based on the look, smell and changes in texture. However, did you know that the other items in your kitchen have an expiration date too?

Though it’s much harder to know when you’ll need to replace kitchen tools like knives, appliances and cookware, each of these items has an expiration date you’ll want to be aware of. Whether you’re in spring-cleaning mode or just purchased new pots and pans, you will need to replace them at some point and the Bob’s Red Mill team is here to help. Keep reading to better understand the average lifespan of your household cookware and how to care for it properly.

What Is the Average Lifespan of Household Cookware?

If you’ve found yourself wondering, “how long do pots and pans last?” We have the answer. Different types of cookware have different lifespans. While there is no exact timeframe of when you should replace your cookware, most nonstick cookware items will remain good for about five years. This being so, you can do things to ensure that your pots and pans remain in good shape for as long as possible.

Tips to Maintain Your Cookware

To guarantee that your cookware is adequately cared for and improve your skills in the kitchen, follow these simple tips:

Stick to Hand Washing

Because of the heat and pressure applied in a dishwasher, placing your pots and pans in one can be pretty damaging. To increase the lifespan of your cookware, be sure to hand wash them with dish soap and water.

If you run into a few baked-on stains that won’t come off with a typical scrub, add baking soda to your pans while washing them. Doing so will help lift the stains off the surface and add strength to your scrubbing. To keep your pots and pans coating from coming off, use an ordinary kitchen sponge and stay away from metallic brushes.

Oil Your Pans Well

When cooking anything in your pots and pans, be sure to prepare them first with a bit of oil. Adding olive oil, coconut oil, or butter will help create a non-stick surface and prevent food from adhering to the pan. Not only does this protect your cookware, but it also results in a much easier cleanup.

Use a Soft Spatula

When handling food in your pans, be sure to use a spatula made of a soft material like wood, silicone, or food-grade plastic. This will protect the non-stick coating of your cookware and ensure that they are not damaged in the process.

Refrain from Using Cooking Sprays

Cooking spray often contains chemicals, and these chemicals are not suitable for you or your baking tools. To prevent the nonstick coating on your pans from damage, refrain from using cooking sprays and use oil instead.

Different Types of Cookware

Nonstick Pans

Different types of nonstick frying pans are extremely popular and have made cooking (and cleaning) in the kitchen an easy task! Nonstick pans are a type of cookware that has a special nonstick coating. This coating allows food to cook in the pan without actually sticking to it. The coating of most nonstick cookware is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon.

When well taken care of, most nonstick pans will last up to 5 years. So, how do you know if it’s time to replace your nonstick cookware? It’s advisable to replace your pans once you notice that the surface has begun to peel. If the surface is peeling, the coating underneath could mix with the food cooked on it and become a health hazard.

Ceramic Cookware

In comparison to nonstick pans, ceramic cookware is pricier but more efficient. Ceramic cookware requires less grease and is free of many chemicals and substances that nonstick cookware contains.

This being so, the typical lifespan of ceramic cookware is much shorter than nonstick cookware. Ceramic pans have a lifespan of just about a year. However, that year can be extended to nearly three years when well taken care of.

More and more at-home chefs are deciding to switch to ceramic cookware because the ceramic coating is free of PTFE and PFOA, two harmful chemicals often found in nonstick coatings. Most ceramic pans are also non-stick and easy to clean.

When used frequently, ceramic cookware will begin to chip and these ceramic bits can mix with your food. If you notice your ceramic pan chipping, it’s time to replace them. Like traditional pots and pans, to extend the life of your ceramics and keep them in good condition, handwashing is recommended.

Stainless Steel Cookware

A stainless steel pan is non-coated and commonly made out of stainless steel. Their lack of coating allows food to brown better and makes them a little more durable than most nonstick pans. Because you don’t have to worry about protecting a coating, stainless steel pans are usually oven safe and can be cleaned without fear of damaging the pan itself.

This being so, their lack of a nonstick surface can make burnt-on food challenging to remove and may require a bit of extra scrubbing. Because of stainless steel pans’ durability, they frequently last significantly longer than nonstick and ceramic pans. When well taken care of, stainless steel pans can endure for decades!

Iron Skillets

Knowing how to use a cast iron skillet and properly caring for it will make it last for a very long time. You may even have a skillet that has been passed down in your family over the years. Because cast iron skillets don’t have any kind of coating on them, you won’t have to worry about it wearing down over time.

The one thing you do want to look out for when cooking with cast iron cookware is bacteria. Each time you clean your skillet, be sure to clean it well. Due to their lack of coating, food tends to accumulate on the surface of cast iron skillets, and too much food growth over time can cause bacteria to form.

When Should You Buy a New Set of Cookware?

Regardless of which kind of pots and pans you purchase, there are several telltale signs that it’s time to swap them out for a newer version. Here are a few of the most common:

Your Cookware Is Warped

If your cookware has become warped, it’s likely time for a new set. Warped cookware is when your pan becomes bent out of shape. The most common cause of warped cookware is when a pan is heated or cooled too quickly, causing certain parts of the pan to expand and tighten faster than others.

While warped cookware isn’t generally a health hazard, it will affect your pots and pans’ cooking quality and distribute heat unevenly. How can you tell if your pan is warped? If you can’t tell just by looking at it, try placing your pan on a flat surface and see if it wiggles. If it does, the heat won’t be distributed evenly, resulting in certain areas being over or undercooked.

Your Stainless Steel Cookware Is Chipping

If you know how to clean stainless steel pots and care for them properly, stainless steel pots and pans can last for a long time. However, if you notice that the stainless steel exterior on your pans has begun to chip, it’s time to invest in a new one. You’ll want to replace your pots and pans upon the first sight of chipping to ensure that bits of stainless steel don’t break off into your food.

How can you tell if the stainless steel is wearing off? Take a look at the base of your pot; if it’s a different color, then the stainless steel coating has started to wear down.

The Cookware Handles Are in Bad Shape

Taking proper care of cookware extends far beyond the actual pot and pan. You’ll want to pay attention to the handles as well. Not all cookware is equipped with heat-safe handles, and because of this, the amount of heat they encounter needs to be monitored. If your pan’s handle is introduced to too much heat at once, it may melt or fall off while you’re cooking.

Additionally, over time handles can wear to the point where there is a chance they may break when using them. If you notice your cookware’s handle is about to fall off, then it’s time to replace it. If new pots and pans aren’t in your budget at the moment, we recommend removing the handle altogether rather than continuing to cook with it. A faulty handle may expose your food and your hands to high levels of heat that put you at risk of getting burned.

If you’re working with a pot or pan without the handle, be sure to use an oven mitt to protect your hands from high temperatures.

Overall, taking proper care of your cookware will drastically affect how long it lasts. This is also true of the quality. Purchasing high-quality cookware will help your pots and pain remain intact, even when used frequently.

Pots and pans of a lower quality are generally made with materials that warp, chip and melt easier. Use the signs above to determine when to replace your cookware and invest in a new set. From everyone at Bob’s Red Mill, happy cooking!

Posted on by — Leave a reply

Bread baking in a Dutch oven

Bread baking in a Dutch oven

By: RedmanShop | February 21, 2017

Making crispy, crusty, golden loaves of bread at home has never been easier. It all starts with bread baking in a Dutch oven (lidded pot), the perfect vessel for making artisan-style loaves. The steam that’s created inside the pot miraculously transforms the dough, ensuring the bread’s crust will shatter into delicate shards with each bite. The best way to produce steam inside a lidded pot? It’s simple: preheat the pot.

Gently slipping risen yeast dough into a searing hot pot and adding the lid creates steam. In turn, this results in bread with a crackly crust and a glossy surface that’s beautifully blistered with bubbles.

Gently slipping risen yeast dough into a searing hot pot and adding the lid creates steam. In turn, this results in bread with a crackly crust and a glossy surface that’s beautifully blistered with bubbles.

Making crispy, crusty, golden loaves of bread at home has never been easier. It all starts with bread baking in a Dutch oven (lidded pot), the perfect vessel for making artisan-style loaves. The steam that’s created inside the pot miraculously transforms the dough, ensuring the bread’s crust will shatter into delicate shards with each bite. The best way to produce steam inside a lidded pot? It’s simple: preheat the pot.

Gently slipping risen yeast dough into a searing hot pot and adding the lid creates steam. In turn, this results in bread with a crackly crust and a glossy surface that’s beautifully blistered with bubbles.

Gently slipping risen yeast dough into a searing hot pot and adding the lid creates steam. In turn, this results in bread with a crackly crust and a glossy surface that’s beautifully blistered with bubbles.

Subscribe to our Newsletter Now

Get the latest recipes, products and classes available on RedManShop.