Cream of Tartar

From The Pantry

 Cleaning with the leavings or byproduct of wine making: cream of tartar.  In the natural state it is found in various fruits, especially grapes from which wine is made.  The residue from the alcoholic fermentation crystallizes onto the sides of the wine vat. In this raw state the cream of tartar is collected and successively purified into refined cream of tartar.  

Potassium bitartrate, or potassium hydrogen tartrate is not only used in cooking, but it can be used to clean when mixed with an acidic such as white vinegar or lemon juice. 

 Cream of tartar is primarily used for baking. Chemically, it is known as the potassium acid salt of tartaric acid (a carboxylic acid).

It is a good cleaning agent for metals such as brass, aluminum and copper when made into a paste using white vinegar.  This same paste can be used to remove porcelain stains, also. Try cleaning the bottom of your cookware with this paste.  

I like using cream of tartar to clean my stainless steel sink.  It sparkles after a good cleaning and rinsing with clear water. You can clean the bathtub and shower with this mixture.

Cream of tartar has been around for ages and has many uses.  Medicinal uses are quite common.  It is also used in making toothpaste.  Whatever the uses, it should be kept in a dry place and kept tightly sealed.

Uses include:

Yeast 

Baking

Pharmaceutic Industry

Watch and Clock Making

Treatment of metals

Glassware

Pyrotechnics

Manufacturing of Plaster

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