Potassium bitartrate, CAS 868‐14‐4

Potassium bitartrate (potassium hydrogen tartrate or commonly cream of tartar) is generally recognized as a safe compound. It crystallizes out of wine casks during fermentation. Today, cream of tartar is used for the ‘on-demand’ generation of carbon dioxide from its acid-base reaction with baking soda. When the two react, copious bubbles of carbon dioxide are swiftly released. The bubbling action can dislodge small blockages, a useful technique used to keep drains clear. The release of carbon dioxide also finds extensive applications in leavening of dough in baking, among many other applications.
Prominent applications include:
•    leavening agent
•    anticaking agent 
•    feed laxative 
•    cleanser for brass, copper, or aluminum 
•    synthetic reagent
•    pH regulator