kansui powder vs. lye water, which one is better for noodles?

What is the difference between kansui powder and lye water? Can they substitute for each other?

Best Answer

This is a little tricky to answer because of terminology. Kansui powder is a mixture of potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate, in powder form. It is typically added to a noodle recipe in a range of .2% - 2.5%, depending on the type of noodle.

When it is sold in liquid form, it is also known as Kansui, but may be labeled as "lye water", or "alkaline solution", or with the ingredients "potassium carbonate" and "sodium carbonate."

They are both the same thing, and you can turn the powder into a liquid by creating a solution.

The terminology issues arises because this product is sometimes confused with food grade lye (sodium hydroxide), which is used, for example, in German pretzel making (among other things). They are different products, with sodium hydroxide being much more caustic, and potentially a safety risk if not handled appropriately.

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Is lye water the same as Kansui?

When it is sold in liquid form, it is also known as Kansui, but may be labeled as "lye water", or "alkaline solution", or with the ingredients "potassium carbonate" and "sodium carbonate." They are both the same thing, and you can turn the powder into a liquid by creating a solution.

What is the best substitute for lye water?

It's very easy, and inexpensive, to prepare a homemade version as a substitute. You only need two ingredients for homemade lye water: Baked baking soda and water. Mix them at a 1:4 ratio. Then you're ready to use it!

Is lye water safe for cooking?

Lye water (sometimes called 'Lime Water') is a strong (caustic) liquid that is safe to use in very small amounts in cooking, but it can be dangerous if lye water is swallowed undiluted straight from the bottle. It can cause severe corrosive burns to the throat, oesophagus and stomach with permanent damage if swallowed.

How do you use lye water for noodles?

Instructions

Add flour and salt to a mixing bowl. Mix water with lye water then pour into the flour gradually. ...

Use your hand to bring the lumps together to form a rough-looking dough. As this dough is on the dry side, this process may take some time to finish.

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