Why does baking powder need salt?

Baking powder doesn't need salt, it benefits from it. Salt plays a few key roles in baking:

* Enhances flavor: Salt brings out the sweetness of the other ingredients and adds a subtle flavor of its own.

* Improves gluten development: Salt helps strengthen the gluten in flour, leading to a more stable and elastic dough or batter. This is particularly important for breads and rolls where a strong structure is desired.

* Controls yeast activity: In yeast-based recipes, salt can slow down the yeast's activity, preventing it from becoming too active and resulting in a dough that rises too quickly or collapses.

* Balances sweetness: Salt counteracts the sweetness of other ingredients and prevents baked goods from tasting overly sweet.

It's worth noting: While salt is generally beneficial, it's not essential for all baking powder recipes. Some recipes, especially those that rely heavily on the leavening action of baking powder, may not include salt.

In short: While not mandatory, salt is a valuable addition to many baking powder recipes, enhancing flavor, gluten development, and overall balance.