Trader Joe’s is a grocery store chain known for low prices, interesting products, and selling everything from one-of-a-kind items to everyday essentials under the Trader Joe’s brand name. Among the many things they sell are cooking essentials like baking powder.
Baking powder and baking soda are critical leavening agents for making bread and other baked goods. Trader Joe’s is known for marketing their own brand of baking powder, which is one of the top aluminum free brands on the market.
For more about what Trade Joe’s offers in baking powder/soda, read on.
Trader Joe’s Baking Powder and Baking Soda
Trader Joe’s doesn’t have Baking Powder or Baking Soda listed in their online store, but you can find both at Amazon, and in-store.
There are actually three types of baking soda/powder advertised under the Trader Joe’s label by alternative sites:
- Trader Joe’s Baking Powder: Aluminum Free and Double Acting
- Trader Joe’s Baking Soda (in a box)
- Trader Joe’s Baking Soda 2 pack (in cans)
To check the current price and availability of Trader Joe’s Baking Powder and Baking Soda, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
Is There a Difference Between Baking Powder and Baking Soda?
Baking Soda and Baking Powder are both used as leavening agents, and contain similar ingredients, but they aren’t quite the same.
Baking Soda
Baking Soda is generally made of 100% sodium bicarbonate, a type of salt that acts primarily as an antacid.
Baking soda works in cooking by reacting to the acids present in other ingredients, as well as heat, to become a leavening agent.
Baking Powder
Baking Powder often contains sodium bicarbonate, but it also contains other ingredients, such as cornstarch and monocalcium phosphate.
The cornstarch often acts as a binding and neutralizing agent between the sodium bicarbonate and the acidic monocalcium phosphate.
Baking Powder is also used as a leavening agent.
Does Baking Powder React Differently Than Baking Soda?
Baking soda reacts to acidic components in a baking mix.
Baking powder, however, can react solely to heat and hydration, making it slightly more all-purpose.
Baking soda is about 3 times as reactive as baking powder. If a recipe called for 1 teaspoon of baking soda, you’d need 3 teaspoons of baking powder to get the same result if you were making a substitution.
Where Does Trader Joe’s Produce Their Baking Soda and Baking Powder?
There’s no specific location listed as the source for Trader Joe’s baking powder and baking soda. It is, however, sold under their own label, meaning it’s most likely sourced from a local generic producer supported by the Trader Joe’s chain.
Does Trader Joe’s Baking Powder or Baking Soda Contain Aluminum?
Both Trader Joe’s Baking Soda and Baking Powder are both advertised as being aluminum free.
What Ingredients Are in Trader Joe’s Baking Soda and Baking Powder?
Trader Joe’s Baking Soda is labeled as being 100 percent sodium bicarbonate.
Trader Joe’s Baking Powder is labeled as being aluminum-free, and contains cornstarch, sodium bicarbonate, and monocalcium phosphate.
What is Monocalcium Phosphate?
Monocalcium phosphate is an acidic salt, and contains Calcium and Phosphorus. The compound is not only safe, but adds minerals to the final product that your body can put to good use.
Importance of Aluminum Free Baking Powder:
The most common reason for using aluminum free baking powder is the taste. Baking powder with aluminum can sometimes give foods a slight metallic or bitter aftertaste, which those with sensitive taste buds will pick up on.
Another reason is that aluminum free baking powder is more liquid sensitive than heat sensitive, and therefore tends to start working faster.
There are also some concerns that ingesting aluminum can be harmful, although it’s not a proven fact.
Tips for Choosing Aluminum Free Baking Soda and Baking Powder:
Baking soda should almost always be aluminum free, since it’s only ingredient is sodium bicarbonate.
As for baking powder, check the label of the container.
- Most aluminum free baking powders will say so on the container.
If the label doesn’t specify, or if you’re not certain, you can also check the ingredients list for the following:
- sodium aluminum sulfate
- sodium aluminum phosphate
Brands Known for Being Aluminum Free:
If you don’t live near a Trader Joe’s, or can’t find any baking soda or baking powder in your local store, then chances are you can find it on Amazon. However, if your need for aluminum free baking powder is more immediate, look for these brands in local stores:
- McKenzie’s
- Rumford
- Whole Foods 365
- Bob’s Red Mill Aluminum Free
- Larissa Veronica Aluminum Free Baking Powder
Many of these are sold at locations like WalMart or Whole Foods Market, or even regular grocery stores.
You can also make your own baking powder, if you have the right items at home.
How to Make Your Own Baking Powder:
The recipe for your own baking powder is fairly simple –
- 1 part Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate)
- 2 parts Cream of Tartar (tartaric acid, also known as Potassium bitartrate)
Mix these together and store in a cool, dry space in a well sealed container, and you’ll have your own baking powder whenever you need it.
Benefits of Choosing Trader Joe’s Baking Soda and Baking Powder:
- Purchased in-store, you’re guaranteed a good price for either product, and even online retailers sell at fairly good value.
- You can purchase both in 2 packs, and cans that are easy to reseal and keep fresh for longer
- Guaranteed good quality product – it’s consistently rated among the Top Four aluminum free brands in the nation.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for aluminum free baking powder or baking soda, you can find both at Trader Joe’s, where you’re guaranteed a good price and a quality product. And if you can’t find it in-store, you can purchase any quantity you need online at Amazon.
If for some reason you’re having trouble finding Trader Joe’s Baking Soda or Baking Powder, then there are other options, including brands often marketed by Whole Foods Market.
And if all else fails, it’s fairly easy to make your own baking powder, with some easy to find and aluminum free ingredients that almost every store sells.
