Baking Powder is a leavening agent used in batter and dough recipes that produces a form of gas during a moistening process, causing batter and dough to expand. It consists of an acid (like cream of tartar) and an alkali (like baking soda), which react together in the presence of water, releasing carbon dioxide and causing the dough to rise.

The name describes the structure of the ingredient.

• Baking refers to the cooking process, particularly oven baking.
• Powder means "powder" and indicates the physical form of the product.

Description of raw materials used in production. 

• Sodium bicarbonate, starch, and an acid, which are the basis for creating baking powder, are selected and prepared to be mixed together.

Step-by-step summary of production process.

• Selection and Preparation of Raw Materials. Choosing bicarbonate, starch, and acid based on desired specifications.
• Mixing. Ingredients are mixed in precise proportions to ensure proper leavening activity.
• Packaging. The mixture is then packaged in airtight containers to prevent moisture absorption.

Form and color. 

Baking powder commonly appears as a fine, white, odorless powder with a neutral taste, being a mixture of an acid (such as cremor tartar) and a basic (usually baking soda), which react with each other to produce carbon dioxide when wet. This gas production is what causes doughs in baked goods to rise. Baking powder can be single or double, depending on whether it requires a single wet phase or an additional heat phase to fully activate the reaction.

Commercial applications. 

Used for its leavening properties in a variety of baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and breads.

Baking. Used as a leavening agent in baked goods like cakes, cookies, and muffins.

Pastry Making. Fundamental in numerous pastry recipes to ensure proper leavening of sweets.

Cooking. Used in preparing certain variants of pizzas and focaccias to make them soft and light.

Vegan Cooking. Often utilized in vegan cooking to replace animal-origin ingredients in doughs.

Industrial Production. Employed in the industrial production of many pre-packaged food products.