What is an example of a fast acting leavening agent?

Answer 1

Baking soda is an example of a fast acting leavening agent.

The chemical in baking soda is bicarbonate of soda (NaHCO3). When combined with an acidic ingredient, such as the lactic acid in buttermilk, baking soda releases carbon dioxide which forms bubbles in the food. When heated, these bubbles expand and help to rise or lighten the final product. A fast acting agent reacts at room temperature.

It is the type of acid that determines whether the leavening agent is fast or slow acting. Baking powder can be "fast acting", "slow acting", or "double-acting". Double-acting is the most commonly used and it is the type of "acids" used that determine whether the baking powder is slow, fast, or double acting. Low temperature acids produce a fast acting agent while high temperature acids produce a slow acting agent. The use of a combination of both high and low temperature acids in baking powder creates a double acting agent.

Answer 2

This is a slightly more difficult question to answer. A fast acting leavening agent is straight up baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) which is the main ingredient in baking powder. It is actually the "acid" that is used in baking powder that determines whether or not it is fast or slow acting.

Actually thinking of this more makes me think of Yeast. Bread yeast is used as a leavening agent in breads, some doughnuts, etc and would be considered a slow acting leavening agent as it takes the most amount of time to react and must be fermented and allowed to "rise" or leaven over a certain amount of time. Yeast must have a carbohydrate to "feed" on giving off carbon dioxide and alcohol. Granulated sugar is the most common used carbohydrate used to activate and "feed" the yeast.

Answer 3

Baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, yeast.