Nature First Bicarb Soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda, is a leavening agent. When bicarb gets wet and warm the reaction starts. So when it is added to a batter, bicarb causes tiny air bubbles, similar to whipping or beating, resulting in your mixture rising when cooked. It is used to make cakes and bakery goods lighter, fluffier and also helps with browning. Bicarb soda is not baking powder, although baking powder has bicarb as one of its ingredients.FeaturesBaking Powder vs Soda Both baking soda and baking powder are leavening agents. Baking powder contains baking soda while baking soda is a single ingredient that allows the cook to choose how they use it. Bicarb can also be used for non cooking applications like cleaning. Nature First Baking Powder is packed in Australia using local ingredients and comes in a 125gm re-sealable oxygen barrier bag to preserve freshness.BenefitsIt is a staple ingredient in every household with many diverse applications, not just in the kitchen but the whole house. Baking soda is very alkaline, so it can be used to alkalise internally when taken as a drink or to cleanse your skin and wash your hair - always do a patch test to see if it is too cleansing for your skin or hair. Baking soda is also popular to use in paleo and allergy friendly baking because it is a single ingredient and can be combined with Nature First ACV to create a similar affect to baking powder (which contains bicarb as well as an acid). Baking soda has been shown to kill off bacteria including Streptococcus mutans, which is a type of bacteria associated with tooth decay. So some people use it to make a natural toothpaste. Among many more uses, bicarb has been found to help reduce the frequency or severity of UTI's when taken internally.