Picture this: you’re craving snickerdoodle cookies – not from the ones from the bakery, but the ones that your grandma used to make. You look up the recipe – how hard can it be? Everything seems fairly simple until you land on one mysterious ingredient – cream of tartar? Um, what now? You’d search for it in your local grocery store, but you have no idea where to look for it. That’s where I come in.
I will not only tell you exactly where to find cream of tartar in the grocery store but what to do if you can’t. Read on to locate cream of tartar at your local grocer, and a list of famous supermarket chains that carry it – in-store and online.
Let’s get to it.
Where is Cream of Tartar? Look in This Aisle
Don’t get fooled by the name – cream of tartar isn’t creamy at all. It is dry and powdery. It is tartaric acid – hence the name.
When locating it at any grocer’s, head straight for the spice rack. You will find it sitting next to salt, sugar, seasonings in either a plastic jar or a tin. Look for a container that holds ground cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda.
If you can’t locate it in the spice rack, search in the baking aisle elsewhere, and you’ll surely find it there.
Which Popular Grocery Stores Carry Cream of Tartar?
What to do if your local supermarket does not have cream of tartar? Don’t panic – here is a list of several popular grocery stores that do.
Whole Foods
You can find cream of tartar in Whole Foods. If you do not have a branch located near your house, you can simply order it online. There are many brands available – both in-store and online.
Amazon
Ah, the joy of ordering from Amazon. With just a few clicks, you can order cream of tartar from your brand of choice.
If you are someone who bakes a lot, then you would already know Amazon as the more pocket-friendly option to buy this product in bulk.
Target
At Target, you can buy cream of tartar both in-store and online. If you usually shop at Target, head on for the spice aisle. You will see several creams of tartar brands available next to spice rubs and seasonings.
When shopping online, you can buy this product by clicking on the herbs, rubs, and spices tab.
Safeway
At any Safeway, you can find cream of tartar in the spice aisle. If not, look in the baking aisle. However, if your local Safeway has run out, you can order online from their website by clicking on the herbs and spices tab.
Walmart
You can find cream of tartar at your local Walmart. However, an excellent feature is the online store locator to check product availability at the store near you.
You can also order online for delivery or pick up at your convenience.
Kroger
Kroger also carries cream of tartar. Look for it in the spice aisle or next to baking powder and baking soda in the baking aisle. You may also find it in the spice aisle labeled as tartaric acid – grab it, it is the same thing!
You can also order online on their website, in the spice and seasonings tab.
What is Cream of Tartar’s Shelf Life?
When stored properly, cream of tartar can last you years. When storing, make sure that it does not come in contact with moisture and is stored in a cool, dark place – likely in your spice cabinet.
It is actually the acidic by-product of fermenting grapes, and you can use it for years ( four years after it’s been manufactured, is the rule of thumb) if you have taken care to store it.
However, despite its almost infinite shelf life, it can go bad. You can check the best-by date on the jar and check your product’s potency.
Mix 1/2 tsp. of cream of tartar with baking soda (just a pinch) with warm water. If it fizzes, it’s good to use.
Can’t Find Cream of Tartar? Check Out These 4 Substitutes
Baking emergency, but cannot find cream of tartar? You can use the following substitutes instead.
1. White Vinegar
Vinegar is acidic and an excellent substitute, especially when making a meringue and stiffening egg whites. You can use the same amount of vinegar as the cream of tartar mentioned in the recipe.
2. Lemon Juice
Replace cream of tartar with the same amount of lemon juice. This can be used to ensure there is no crystallization when making syrups. It also is used to firm up egg whites.
3. Baking Powder
If your recipe asks for baking soda and cream of tartar, you can use 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder for each tsp. of cream of tartar.
4. Buttermilk
For baked goods, buttermilk is another substitute for cream of tartar. If your recipe requires 1 gram (1/4 tsp.) of cream of tartar, you can substitute 120 ml (1/2 cup) of buttermilk. Make sure you remove 120 ml of liquid from the recipe.
Delicious Ways to Use Cream of Tartar
You can use cream of tartar in several delicious recipes – from meringue pies to snickerdoodle cookies to cakes. Cream of tartar helps in firming up egg whites as it produces CO2.
It also gives a tang and chewy texture to cookies because it prevents sugar crystallization.
Moreover, if you are boiling vegetables and want to retain their vibrancy, a pinch of cream of tartar can do wonders.
Conclusion
This mysteriously wonderful ingredient might not be very familiar, but you can use it in a variety of ways to level up your baking game.
With my guide, I hope you will find no difficulty in locating plain ol’ cream of tartar at your local grocery store. If so, you can visit any of the other numerous grocery stores (or their websites) that carry cream of tartar. Remember to look in the spice or baking aisle for a white powdery, acidic-smelling product.
You can use it in many recipes, and of course, it doesn’t hurt that it can last a very long time when kept away from heat and moisture.