Without buttermilk ... Be scrupulous to use aluminum-free baking powder (it will say so on the package). This is important to prevent any metallic or bitter aftertaste.

In most modern baking powders, there’s also a second ingredient, sodium aluminum sulfate ... Baking powder doesn’t have that problem; it puffs up no matter what. However, just like carbonated ...

The question has a vital bearing on the discussion as to the safety of using alum in baking powders. Professor Patrick attacks it without prejudice ... alum baking powder, using twelve times ...