If you’ve ever been in the middle of following a recipe and paused at the ingredient list, wondering whether “bicarb soda” and “baking soda” are the same thing – you’re not alone. It’s a common question in Australian households, especially when recipes come from the US or the UK.
Let’s clear the confusion once and for all and dive into everything you need to know about bicarb soda, baking soda, and their uses in Aussie kitchens and beyond.
What is bicarb soda?
Bicarb soda is short for bicarbonate of soda, a fine white powder made from sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃). It’s an alkaline compound with a wide range of uses — from baking and cleaning to personal care.
In Australia, “bicarb soda” is the standard term you’ll see on supermarket shelves like Woolies and Coles. However, when you see recipes from the United States, they’ll often refer to it as baking soda.
So, is bicarb soda the same as baking soda?
Yes – they are exactly the same.
Both terms refer to sodium bicarbonate, and the only difference is the name used in different countries:
- “Bicarb soda” is used in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand.
- “Baking soda” is the common term in the United States and Canada.
So if a recipe calls for baking soda and you have bicarb soda in your pantry, you’re good to go. No need to rush to the shops!
Popular applications of bicarb soda (baking soda)
Because they are virtually the same products, bicarb soda and baking soda have the same applications. Among their most well-known applications are:
1. Cooking and baking
- Leavening agent: When combined with acidic ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, or buttermilk, bicarb soda releases carbon dioxide bubbles, making baked foods rise.
- Crispier coatings: Adding a pinch of bicarb soda to batter can make fried foods crispy.
- Odour neutraliser: Adding a small quantity to a cake batter can neutralise strong odour ingredients like eggs.
2. Household cleaning
- Surface cleaner: Bicarb soda and water is applied to scrub kitchen benchtops, sinks, and stovetops.
- Deodoriser: Bicarb soda left in the fridge, bins, or shoes destroys odour.
- Drain unclogger: Bicarb soda and vinegar mixture can be employed to break down grease in drains.
3. Health and personal care
- Heartburn relief: Tiny dose dissolved in water can be taken as an antacid to relieve indigestion.
- Teeth whitening: Bicarb soda is used in many homemade toothpaste recipes because it’s a gentle abrasive.
- Skin soother: A water soak with a little bicarb soda added may calm itching and burning caused by sunburn or insect bites.
Can you substitute baking powder for bicarb soda?
Even though bicarb soda and baking powder are confused with each other, they are different. Baking powder has bicarbonate soda and an acid (such as cream of tartar) to act as a catalyst for the reaction.
If you require bicarbonate soda in a recipe and have only baking powder, you can be compelled to use more of it and to adjust the acidity level of the ingredients to get your desired outcome. You typically require approximately three times the amount of baking powder as a substitute for bicarbonate of soda, but this will alter the flavour and texture of your product.
Where can you buy bicarb soda in Australia?
Bicarb soda is easily found in Australia at:
- Supermarkets: Coles, Woolworths, and IGA carry it in the baking section.
- Health food shops: Organic or natural food stores can have aluminium-free baking soda.
- Chemists: Bicarb soda can be found in small packets for medical use.
- Bulk food shops: If you need more, bulk food and household supply shops will carry it at a lower price.
Conclusion
So, is baking soda the same as bicarbonate soda? Absolutely! The only thing is that we have another name for it in another country. We refer to it as bicarb soda here in Australia, but over in America, they call it baking soda. No matter what you call it, this do-everything ingredient sits in the kitchen pantry waiting to be used to cook, clean, and even treat illnesses at home. Next time you have a recipe asking for baking soda, know you can use your reliable baking soda!
