Is it safe to use lye water on food?

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.

What does lye do to food?

The lye breaks down some of the proteins on the outside of the dough and speeds up the whole baking process. And since nothing else really gets as basic as lye, few other compounds are as effective as getting that texture.

What does lye water do in Kutsinta?

Food grade Lye water is a strong alkaline solution used in various cooking processes such as curing and baking. As a key ingredient in making kutsinta or pichi-pichi as well in Chinese moon cakes, bagels, pretzels, and ramen noodles, it raises the ph level of the dough for a richer color and a springy texture.

What kind of water is used to make lye?

Lye is a metal hydroxide that is traditionally obtained by leaching wood ashes, or a strong alkali which is highly soluble in water thus producing caustic basic solutions. Lye most commonly is known as sodium hydroxide (especially in manufacturing circles), but historically it has been used for potassium hydroxide (KOH).

What are the effects of exposure to lye?

Sodium hydroxide poisoning or exposure may severely affect the ocular, olfactory, dermal, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Items that can contain lye. Sodium hydroxide is known for making solid, opaque bar soap, as opposed to potassium hydroxide (KOH) which is used in making liquid soap.

What happens when you mix lye water with fat?

Once the lye water has been blended into your fats, the danger factor goes down significantly. This is because the lye is now diluted in a bunch of oils and fats. As with all things, the dose makes the poison.

Which is more dangerous lye water or soap batter?

Once the lye water has been blended into your fats, the danger factor goes down significantly. This is because the lye is now diluted in a bunch of oils and fats. As with all things, the dose makes the poison. Raw soap batter is nowhere near as dangerous as a concentrated lye solution because it is nowhere near as concentrated.