Did you know self-raising flour was invented in the 1840s? A British baker named Henry Jones wanted to make bread easier for sailors. He added baking powder so they could bake on ships without fancy ingredients. Thank you, random sailor snack innovation!
Also, self-raising flour is a big deal in the UK and Australia. In the US? It’s a specialty item. Americans treat it like a suspicious stranger. “Why is your flour already… excited?” they ask.
Self Rising Flour Vs Plain Flour - napsahaland
Fun fact: self-raising flour doesn’t last forever. The baking powder loses its oomph after about six months. So if your bag has been hiding behind the oatmeal since last Christmas, it won’t lift a thing. Check the date or do the water test: drop a teaspoon of flour into water. If it fizzes, it’s alive. If not, it’s dead, and your cake will be a leaden brick.
