6 Pantry Items You Should Check on Today

#1 Pantry staples: Baking powder & soda

Did you end up being disappointed in the rise of your cake the last time you baked it? This may be because your essential baking ingredients (baking powder and baking soda) have lost their leavening powers!

Over time, these two crucial leavening ingredients lose their properties due to sitting too much in your pantry, and since none of us bake that often to use up a whole eight-ounce bag in a few months, the powders end up losing their prowess.

To make sure you don’t end up with sad cakes, you should either pick up the habit of checking if they’re still good to go or mix baking powder with hot water and baking soda with lemon or vinegar. If they bubble, they’re all fresh and good enough for baking! If the result is a little bit disappointing, then you’re out of luck, and you have to run to the store.

It also helps if you don’t end up buying them in large quantities just because you want to bake one weekend.

#2 Tea

Did you know that pack of tea you got last year when you had a cold has passed its expiration date? This is not to say that tea expires; after all, they are dried leaves. However, if you have tea bags, they will go bad in about a year unless you plan to consume them quickly. This is because, despite the tea being a dry product, the leaves still retain their oils, which will interact with the tea bag.

If you’re wondering why your teacup has a weird taste, it’s time to check on your tea, throw it out, and replenish your stock!