Subject: what chemical reaction occurs when persimmon is mixed w/baking soda

I assumed that the persimmon was an acid and combining the two would 
create carbon dioxide, but instead, it formed a gell which I could slice. 
Hmmmm....the cake came out deliciously though.

Hi.  I was following a recipe for persimmon cake.  I whizzed peeled
persimmons in a food processor until it was very liquid-(y?) and slimy.  I
had 3 cups of this in a glass measuring cup, and, as per recipe, I whisked
in 2 teaspoons of baking soda.  I had to deal with my 3-year-old at this
point.  We were baking together.( ha ha)  By the time I went to stir in the
persimmon "liqid", it was solid.  I think maybe 10 minutes had elapsed.

Response:

Re: what chemical reaction occurs when persimmon  is mixed w/baking soda
I assumed that the persimmon was an acid and combining the two would 
create carbon dioxide, but instead, it formed a gell which I could slice. 
Hmmmm....the cake came out deliciously though.


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Hi Celeste - You have certainly piqued my interest with what you did 
(persimmon jello)? Could you tell a little more about how you prepared/
added the persimmon to the baking soda? How long did it take for the gel to 
form, and was it composed largely of the fruit, or by mixing juice from the 
fruit with the baking soda?
Cheers..

	Lynn Bry, Admin MadSci Network

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Re: what chemical reaction occurs when persimmon is mixed w/baking soda