By michael - March, 23rd 2014

Cream of tartar, or potassium acid tartrate, is a diuretic and a laxative. Cream of tartar is a powdery substance that has a very long and stable shelf life. It is made from the acidic sediments that accumulate on the sides of wine caskets. The acidic quality of cream of tartar is used in the cooking industry to lend a creamy texture to sugary foods such as icing, meringue, bread, cookies and candy. It is also used to reduce brown discoloration of vegetables. Physicians used cream of tartar as a medicine in the 19th and early 20th Centuries; however, recent interest in cream of tartar has emerged in the alternative medicine community.

You might not realize it, but you probably have one of the most versatile cleaning agents sitting on your spice rack. Cream of tartar, chemically known as potassium bitartrate, is typically used in baking. What would snickerdoodles be without it? But that’s not all cream of tartar is good for — not by a long shot! From zapping ink stains to making toys, read on for some of the most surprising uses for cream of tartar.

Tip: Look for cream of tartar at craft stores, or online, for better deals than you would get in your supermarket’s baking aisle.

1. Clean Aluminum Cookware. If your pots and pans are looking a little worse for the wear, try cleaning them with a paste of cream of tartar and water. Apply on the stains and wash as usual.

2. Clean Your Bathroom. Stained tub, sink or toilet? Don’t reach for harsh commercial cleaners. Instead, make a thick paste of cream …

Cream of Tarter can be considered as a type of salt, produced when tartaric acid is half neutralized with potassium hydroxide. This is done during the process of wine making as grapes are the only rich natural source of tartaric acid. Crude Cream of Tartar, known as Beeswing, precipitates from the liquid and is collected from the wine and purified. It is fine , white and sour to taste and may turn grey on cooking. It is acidic in nature and has a number of uses in cooking.

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