The word saleratus, from Latin sal æratus (meaning “aerated salt”), was widely used in the 19th century for both sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. In colloquial usage, the names sodium bicarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are often truncated forms such as sodium bicarb, bicarb soda, bicarbonate, and bicarb are common. In many northern/central European countries the term used is Natron and can often be found near baking powder in stores. The term baking soda is more common in the United States, whilst bicarbonate of soda is more common in Australia and Britain. It’s a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many natural mineral springs.īecause it has long been known and is widely used, the salt has many related names such as baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, and bicarbonate of soda.

It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda (sodium carbonate). Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline, but often appears as a fine powder.

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO₃.

Natron is baking soda