If you are an occasional baker then you may be wondering if the baking powder tucked in the back of your cupboard is still active. The last thing you'd want to do is ruin your baked goods by adding stale leavener to the mix. So how can you tell if baking powder is still good?

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Once a tin of baking powder has been opened it has a shelf life of six months to a year.
•  It's a good idea to use a black marker to write the date it's been opened on the lid or bottom of the tin.
• Store baking powder in a cool dark place and discard once it goes stale.

To tell if baking powder is still good just conduct this simple experiment: put 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder in a bowl and pour 1/4 cup of boiling water over it. If the baking powder is still good it should bubble up immediately (since it reacts to water and heat). If not, discard the tin and buy a new one.

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