The USDA no longer approves of the use or alum of picking lime in the preparation of pickles. Refer to the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) website, it is an excellent source for current research-based recommendations for most methods of home food preservation and includes many tested recipes.
Pickling lime used to be an accepted method of adding crispness to pickled cucumbers. The USDA no longer recommends use of pickling lime. Pickling lime is alkaline and must all be washed off of the cucumbers or it can result in a less acidic pickling solution. It the pickling solution is not acidic enough it can allow botulism an environment in which to grow. Botulism cases have been linked to this situation and this is the reason it is no longer recommended.
Baking Soda
Alum is a double sulfate salt with astringent properties. It is commonly used as a deodorant, aftershave, and for pickling. Alum is also known for its ability to treat canker sores and minor skin irritations.
Alum can be purchased in a one pound package. It is a granulated powder that is used in pickling recipes, papermaking, dying and coloration.
Alum is called "फिटकरी" (fitkari) in Hindi. It is commonly used for various purposes in traditional Indian households such as water purification, skincare, and pickling.
Alum is used as a drying agent in tanning and paper making and is basically a salt compound. It is also used in food products for pickling and baking.
Lemon or lime zest can be used as a substitute for kaffir lime leaves in cooking.
Lemon or lime zest can be used as a substitute for makrut lime leaves in cooking.
Alum is used in vaccines as an adjuvant. Alum is commonly used as a coagulant in water treatment. And its used for domestics water.
No, Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) and alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) are different compounds. Epsom salt is commonly used for soaking and muscle relaxation, while alum is often used as a deodorant or in pickling.
protamine sulfate
No. Alum is an acid and crisping agent, baking soda is an alkaline salt.