My diet:

E336 Cream of tartar (Potassium bitartrate)

E336Acidity regulatorsOrigin: Plant
Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganYes

A by-product of grapes.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalYes

It comes from winemaking but contains no alcohol, and most halal authorities accept it.

KosherYes
KetoYes
Low-FODMAPYes
The short answer
Cream of tartar (E336) is a natural acid scraped from wine barrels. Bakers use it to whip stable meringue and to make baking powder. It's safe, vegan and fits every diet we check.
Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE336
Comes fromPlant
What it doesAcidity regulators
Glycemic index—
Daily limitNot set
Also calledCream of tartar, Potassium bitartrate

Bake meringues and snickerdoodles

For your pantry
Pantry staple

Cream of tartar

One jar lasts for years of meringues and frostings.

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Kitchen tool

Stand mixer whisk attachment

Stiff peaks in half the time of hand whisking.

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Low-phosphate option

Phosphate-free baking powder

Leavened with cream of tartar instead of phosphates.

Shop phosphate-free baking powder Opens your country’s Amazon store

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Approved everywhere with no daily limit. EFSA re-checked the tartrates in 2020 and found no safety concern at food levels.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

Cream of tartar is a dry, powdery acid. In baking it steadies whipped egg whites, keeps sugar syrups from crystallizing, and reacts with baking soda to make dough rise. It's the acid in many single-acting baking powders.

Where it comes from: Crystals that form inside wine barrels as grape juice ferments, scraped off and purified.

Why it’s in food

  • Stabilizes whipped egg whites and meringue
  • Stops sugar syrups and frosting from turning grainy
  • Reacts with baking soda to leaven
  • Gives snickerdoodles their tang

Often found in

Meringues and angel food cakeBaking powderSnickerdoodlesFrosting and candyPlay dough (homemade)Wine (naturally)

Also listed as: Cream of tartar, Potassium bitartrate, Potassium hydrogen tartrate, Monopotassium tartrate, Potassium acid tartrate, E336(i), Potassium tartrates

Health & gut impact

PotassiumUnder study

It's rich in potassium: about 495 mg per teaspoon. That's harmless in recipes, but eating spoonfuls can be dangerous, especially with kidney disease.

USDA FoodData Central

Safety reviewBenefit

EFSA found no safety concern for tartaric acid and its salts at the levels used in food.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2020)

What can I use instead?

Lemon juice

Ratio: 1 tsp per 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Best for: Meringue and whipped egg whites

White vinegar

Ratio: 1 tsp per 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Best for: Whipped egg whites

Related

More acidity regulators:

Citric Acid E330Citric acid (E330) is the sour acid of lemons, made by fermentation. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly.Generally safeLactic acid E270Lactic acid (E270) is a mild food acid made by fermenting plant sugars. It's safe, fits every diet we check, and has nothing to do with lactose.Generally safeMalic acid E296Malic acid (E296) is the sour taste of green apples, made in a factory for candy and drinks. It's safe, though very sour candy can wear down tooth enamel.Generally safePhosphoric Acid E338Phosphoric acid (E338) gives cola its sharp bite. It's fine for every diet, but heavy cola drinking is linked to lower bone density in women and to tooth erosion.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is Cream of tartar safe?

Generally safe (95/100). Approved everywhere with no daily limit. EFSA re-checked the tartrates in 2020 and found no safety concern at food levels.

Is Cream of tartar vegan?

Yes. A by-product of grapes.

Is Cream of tartar gluten-free?

Yes.

Is cream of tartar the same as tartar sauce?

No. Cream of tartar is a baking powder made from wine crystals; tartar sauce is a mayonnaise-based condiment.

Can I make baking powder with cream of tartar?

Yes: mix 2 parts cream of tartar with 1 part baking soda, and use it right away.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 184.1077 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E336
  • USDA FoodData Central
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2020)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026 · INS 336(i) · CAS 868-14-4