leaveners

Baking lift agents

Leaveners are substances that make dough or batter rise by producing gas bubbles—yeast, baking powder, baking soda, and eggs are common examples.

The term extends figuratively to anything that lightens or enlivens: Humor can be a leavener in tense situations.

Also spelled leaveners or leaveners.

baking

yeast

Fermenting fungus

sourdoughWild-yeast bread starter
starterInitiator of action
proofingChecking for errors

dough · breadmaking · flour · gluten · kneading · mixer · whisk · panettone · baguette · ciabatta

fermentation

yeast

Fermenting fungus

saccharomycesBudding yeast genus
lactobacillusAcid-producing beneficial bacterium
zymurgyFermentation chemistry branch

brewing · alcohol · ethanol · anaerobic · lactic · bacteria · probiotics · sourdough · starter · ferment

texture

fluffy

Soft and light-textured

airyLight and well-ventilated
lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
risenMoved upward already

puffy · springy · tender · crumb · loft · pillowy · soft · delicate · bubbly · porous

chemical

bicarbonate

Acid-neutralizing salt

potashAlkaline fertilizer compound
acid-baseProton donor-acceptor chemistry
reactionResponse to stimulus

bubbles · activation · double-acting

aeration

whipping

Repeated striking blows

foldingBending something over itself
beatingRepeated striking or pulsing
incorporationForming a legal entity

air · meringue · mousse · souffle · chiffon · genoise · sponge · lightness · volume · lift

Opposites

effect on texture/density

leavenersbinding agents

Substances creating cohesion

compactors · thickeners · weights · fillers

function in baking process

leavenersbinders

Paper-organizing ring holders

stabilizers · thickeners · eggs · gluten · starches

Phrases

leavened breadLoaf expanded by fermentation

Family

leavened, unleavened, leavener

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G