This one is for conversions for the different nationalities. Also for suggested substitutions for ingredients. Basic tips in fact.

To Main Recipe Exchange Page

Can I start this topic with a question then? My brother got me a cookbook for Christmas, so I figured I'd better make one of the recipes in it. But...the cookbook contains Australian recipes that have been translated into Dutch and some of the ingredients seem pretty hard to come by. It says that I need to go to the pharmacy to get baking soda. I have to say I'm not very inclined to put something I get from a pharmacy in my food!

Is baking soda similar to the soda you'd use to clean the drains? Could I use the cleaning soda instead of baking soda? Or is the former something else entirely and not edible?
In the baking section of our supermarkets they have something called "bakpoeder" or "baking powder", which we use in cakes and biscuits to make them rise. Is that something I could use instead of baking soda?

Not being a scientist I looked it up and I really think this will help you Leau!
http://users.rcn.com/sue.interport/food/bakgsoda.html

Two totally different products!

Baking powder is what you need, that is baking soda, I think you will find it is bicarbonate of soda.

Snap! Washing soda (for drains too) is Sodium Carbonate and my packet says to get medical attention if swallowed.

Thanks so much, ladies! That link is really helpful indeed, Sara. And Sue, I already thought the cleaning type soda was something else. Good thing I didn't go for the trial-and-error approach!

So even though baking powder contains more than just baking soda, I could still use it as a substitute? (I wonder why on earth the cookbook insists on sending me to the pharmacy! )

Leau, make sure you substitute using the info at the bottom of the page Sara sent - you can't just use baking powder and baking soda interchangeably! Here is a page that explains when and how you substitute, also.

Thanks, cinnam0n. Looks like I'll just use baking powder and save myself a trip to the pharmacy then! I did read Sara's entire page but it only listed what to use instead of baking powder, not the other way around. Baking soda is a very very uncommon ingredient here, so I doubt I'll ever feel like using that instead of baking powder.

I googled "baking soda" and "Netherlands" and got some interesting discussions - maybe some of them will help you...

http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/index...32&shared=N
and
http://www.expatica.com/source/forum_thread.asp?channel_id=1&thread_id=20783

Thanks again, very helpful! I guess I should have googled for it myself, but for some reason I just never thought of that.

Glad someone stopped you - no you can't use baking soda and baking powder interchangably. I'm suprised you don't have it available - it is the older and more traditional ingredient. Baking powder is a more modern quick alternative.

I'm going to bet that it's like in France where you have two kinds of 'Levure' at least. What we'd call baking powder in America would be 'levure chimique' and 'levure de boulanger' is the packet to which you add water when you're making bread dough. You can also purchase a cubed type of levure in the dairy case or at the bakery.

I've never seen levure chimique (don't worry, chemical isn't as bad as it looks) in anything but a small packet though. In America it's sold in a small round usually.

I used to convert my baking recipes in France and use those two, baking soda and then, levure chimique.
However, it was always touch and go.

A lot of people here use baking soda for other uses, so it is very available. Comes in 250 g, 500 g or 1 kilo boxes, mostly, in the grocery. People put a box in the fridge, opened, to absorb odours. Also, some people brush their teeth with it. It's a less chemical cleaner, too, for scrubbing enamel washbasins, etc. I always used to put a bit in when I washed the baby's stuff - makes it smell better. And of course, the most fun use - you mix it with vinegar to make a volcano!

So, is icing sugar what we would call powdered or confectioner's sugar?