Aluminum is a metal that has no beneficial use in the human body but has completely invaded our kitchens.  Aluminum foil, non-stick cookware, food cans, etc.  It is also in antacids, deodorant, vaccines, and…baking powder.  Aluminum was added to baking powder to produce a second rise in the oven, though Cook’s Illustrated tested double rise and regular baking powder and found no significant difference in the baking results.  The aluminum also adds a metallic taste that isn’t pleasant.

Another reason to skip the aluminum is health concerns.  This metal has toxic effects on the nervous system and other body functions.  High levels of aluminum have been correlated with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and elderly cognitive impairment.   You can read more about that here.

When it comes to baking powder, here is an easy, simple way to take some aluminum out of your life and save money in the process.  It takes less than 5 minutes!

Homemade Baking Powder:

1 part baking soda (Bob’s Red Mill, Frontier and other natural brands have soda that has been naturally mined instead of chemically processed)
2 parts cream of tartar (I buy this in bulk at a neighborhood store.  It is also available in bulk at online spice stores)
1 part starch (such as arrowroot or potato. Avoid cornstarch since this is genetically modified)

Mix them together, put in a glass jar and you are set to go!  Bake to your heart’s content, aluminum-free!