Yeast / baking powder

[sainfrance]

What is yeast and baking powder in french? I have levure chimique (poudre a lever) which I have been using for baking which I assumed was baking powder but have a suspicion that this is yeast......

[Bevdeforges]

Levure chimique is a baking powder, however it is a single action baking powder. AFAIK most "baking powders" in the English speaking world are "double action." So, you either need twice as much as the recipe calls for, or you need to add baking soda (bicarbonate de soudre). Levure chimique usually comes in pink packets (no idea why).

Yeast (at least the dry kind) is "levure du boulanger". Or you can get cake yeast either from your local boulanger or in some grocery stores in the refrigerator case (usually with the cakes and refrigerated pastries.
Cheers,
Bev

[sainfrance]

Thank you Bev!!!!! Now I can tell my french husband that I was right!!!!!!

[lizzyloving]

Wow its great to known that you have to use twice has much chimique that your recipe calls for. I have been baking my favorite recipe that I usually make, it came out quite well until I move here so was wondering if I was losing my touch. Was asking my husband about yeast but he has no clue what I was talking about . I didn't know it was call Levure du boulanger until now off tomorrow to get myself some.Thank you Bev