It may win the prize for food names that conjure up images having nothing to do with the food itself. Cream of tartar sounds like an ill-conceived combination of a fish dipping sauce and…I don’t know…maybe a soup? Let’s set aside the weirdness and get to know this ingredient that belongs in every serious cook’s pantry.

And here’s a fun twist. Cream of tartar also keeps homemade playdough moist, supple, and elastic. For months. You may think playdough is just for the kindergarten crowd, but it has lots of learning applications for older students. In fact, we use it in some of our modeling activities and knife skills practice. If you’ve got a few spare minutes and the few ingredients needed, you can whip up a batch and let the creativity begin.  RECIPE: https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/playdough-recipe/

Sources: 

https://bitterbutter.org/2018/06/06/from-wine-casks-to-stove-propaganda-the-unlikely-journey-of-cream-of-tartar/

https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/general-science-history/cream-tartar

https://slate.com/culture/2013/11/what-is-cream-of-tartar-the-food-explainer-explains.html