Cream of Tartar Shelf Life

Can you tell me if Cream of Tartar has an expiry date?  How long can I safely keep it on my shelf?

--Sandra

Cream of Tartar, chemically known as Potassium Bitartrate (KHC4H4O6), is found as a white crystal on the inside of wine bottles or casks used in the making of wine.  It is used to stabilize beaten egg whites and to prevent sugar syrups from forming crystals.  It may also help reduce the discoloration of boiled vegetables, particularly in areas where the water is hard.   Cream of Tartar can be combined with baking soda to make fast-acting baking powder.

If well sealed and stored in a dry location at room temperature, it will keep indefinitely.

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Comments

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[Lucy Gerbrandt]

While you mentioned that Cream of Tartar, in a properly sealed container, can be kept indefinitely, I used mine last evening and the beaten egg white did not turn out to be "stiff" as described in the Orange Chiffon Cake recipe. I suspect the culprit is my Cream of Tartar being too old, even though it was kept in a tightly sealed Tupperware.

[Mike]

Lucy,

I have beaten egg whites without the use of cream of tartar and have attained excellent results.
Perhaps you are not getting enough air into the egg whites while beating them or the material of the bowl you were using to beat the egg whites was reacting with the egg whites to prevent them from getting the level of volume and stiffness needed.

All the best to you,
Mike