Sodium bicarbonate breads, soda bread, and other baked and fried foods. Acidic compounds that induce this reaction include phosphates, cream of tartar, lemon juice, yogurt, buttermilk, cocoa, and vinegar. Baking soda may be used together with sourdough, which is acidic, making a lighter product with a less acidic taste. Heat can also by itself cause sodium bicarbonate to act as a raising agent in baking because of thermal decomposition, releasing carbon dioxide. When used this way on its own, without the presence of an acidic component (whether in the batter or by the use of a baking powder containing acid), only half
Buttermilk facilitates the butter churning process, since fat from cream with a lower pH coalesces more readily than that of fresh cream. The acidic environment also helps prevent potentially harmful microorganisms from growing, increasing shelf-life. However, in establishments that used cream separators, the cream is hardly acidic at all. On the Indian subcontinent, the term "buttermilk" refers to the liquid left over after extracting butter from churned cream. Today, this is called "traditional buttermilk". Traditional buttermilk is still common in many Indian, Nepalese, and Pakistani households, but rarely found in Western countries. In Nepal, buttermilk is called "mohi" and is a