alum
Also Known As:
alum powder
What it is:
Additive
Water soluble compound with an astringent, acid and sweetish taste. Alum powder, found in the spice section of many grocery stores, may be used in pickling recipes as a preservative to maintain fruit and vegetable crispness. Alum is used as the acidic component of some commercial baking powders.
Note:
baking powder?
Further reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alum
