Is baking powder the same as soda?

No, baking powder and baking soda are not the same. They are both leavening agents, meaning they help baked goods rise, but they work in different ways:

* Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkali. It needs an acidic ingredient (like buttermilk, lemon juice, or brown sugar) to react and produce carbon dioxide bubbles, which make the batter rise.

* Baking powder is a combination of baking soda, an acid (like cream of tartar), and a drying agent (like cornstarch). It works by reacting with moisture, releasing carbon dioxide and causing the dough to rise.

Here's a simple way to remember the difference:

* Baking soda needs an acid to work.

* Baking powder has the acid already included.

So, while they both leaven, they have different properties and are used in different situations.