Ammonium Bicarbonate

Ammonium bicarbonate is an inorganic compound with formula hco3. The compound has many names, reflecting its long history. Chemically speaking, it is the bicarbonate salt of ammonium.
Formula: nh4hco3, molar mass: 79.056 gmol, density: 1.59 gcm³, melting point: 41.9 °c, iupac id: ammonium hydrogen carbonate soluble in: water
uses :
ammonium bicarbonate is used in the food industry as an raising agent for flat baked goods, such as cookies and crackers, and in china in steamed buns and chinese almond cookies. It was commonly used in the home before modern day baking powder was made available. In china it is called edible or food-grade "smelly powder". Many baking cookbooks (especially from scandinavian countries) may still refer to it as hartshorn or hornsalt (e.g., no: "hjortetakksalt", se: "hjorthornssalt", "salt of hart's horn") in many cases it may be substituted with baking soda or baking powder or a combination of both, depending on the recipe composition and leavening requirements. Compared to baking soda or potash, hartshorn has the advantage of producing more gas for the same amount of agent, and of not leaving any salty or soapy taste in the finished product, as it completely decomposes into water and gaseous products that evaporate during baking. It cannot be used for moist, bulky baked goods however, such as normal bread or cakes, since some ammonia will be trapped inside and will cause an unpleasant taste.