Instructions
- Dissolve baking soda and citric acid in the water.
- Add cheese, then heat in the microwave in 30 sec increments, stirring occasionally, until smooth and melted.
Notes
Alka Seltzer
Alternatively:
- 1 tablet Alka Seltzer Extra Strength tablet (flavor-free, aspirin-free)
- 10 g (2 tsp) vinegar
- 2 oz (56 g) cheese
- 1 oz (28 g) water
Sodium Citrate
Typically used in a ratio of 2%–3% sodium citrate to the weight of the cheese
Cheese Thickness
The thickness of the sauce will depend on the ratio of liquid to cheese:
- Cheese plus 0% to 35% liquid - firm, molded cheese, cheese slices
- Cheese plus 35% to 85% liquid - thick and flowing cheese sauce
- Cheese plus 85% to 120% liquid - thin cheese sauce, cheese foam, fondues, mac and cheese
Stoichiometry
Citric Acid + 3(Sodium Bicarbonate) → Trisodium Citrate + 3H2O + 3CO2
- Citric acid (anhydrous) (192.12 g/mol)
- Sodium bicarbonate (84.01 g/mol)
- Trisodium citrate (258.06 g/mol)
976.75 mg bicarb + 744.58 mg citric acid = 1000 mg of trisodium citrate