Homemade Eno Fruit Salt is easy & quick recipe using only three ingredients. Treat acidity or ferment food items instantly with it. 

 

Whether it's instant idli or instant besan dhokla or needed for treating acidity, I use my homemade Eno only and the results are perfect. No hassle of keeping it in stock. Every time I make my instant Eno with ingredients easily available in the kitchen only.  

Also, I would like to mention here that it is a common practice in Gujarat and in Jain Community to use this homemade Eno only.

 

What is Fruit Salt?

Fruit Salt is basically an antacid commonly used for treating acidity problems. 

What is Eno?

Eno is a brand name of fruit salt and is the most common brand of fruit salt in the market. People use Eno as some magic medicine without realizing that it is actually baking soda along with citric acid. I know somebody, who is very much against having baking soda in her house but freely uses Eno. Strange, but true!

Uses

• It is commonly used both in the first-aid box and also in the kitchen.
• For treating acidity,
• For instant fermentation of food items and is really helpful in making instant idli, dhokla, etc. Without waiting for hours, we can easily ferment the batter within minutes and we get nice fluffy goodies.  

 Composition 

• Actually, if you see the composition of Eno, you will find that Eno is 60% baking soda and 40% citric acid. There is some percentage of salt also but we are not considering it here as the dishes we prepare normally have salt added to them.
• So, the combination of using these two ingredients gives exactly the same effect as Eno. In place of lemon juice, you can also use citric acid or some other souring agent like vinegar.

Yes, just mix baking soda and lemon juice and, homemade Eno fruit salt is ready.

You will see the same bubbles and the same fluffiness. No pungent smell of baking soda.   Scientifically, soda bicarbonate reacts with acid only. If there is no acid or insufficient acid then there will be no reaction. In that case, soda bicarbonate will taste pungent. 

 

How To Make

  A.  Eno In Powder Form With Citric Acid

• It can be easily stocked in your kitchen/first aid box.
• Gather all three ingredients, namely citric acid, baking soda, and salt.

• Mix everything in a bowl.
• Your homemade Eno fruit salt is ready.
• Fill it in an airtight container. 
• Use it exactly the way you use store-bought Eno.

Tip:  1. Make this in small quantities only and keep it fully dry in an airtight bottle only. This is because when mixed, citric acid and baking soda react with each other, and thus the mix gets solidified. This is the reason, why readymade Eno in the bottle also gets solid after a while. And thus they came up with sachets. So you also, keep citric acid and baking soda separately with you and mix in small quantities only.

2. Do shake this bottle once a week. This way, if any solidification has started, would be dispersed. If not able to shake, then mix using a spoon/knife. This is the only way you can keep this Eno powder for long period.

 

B.  Instant Eno With Lemon Juice 

In this method, ingredients are mixed as and when required.

This Eno is not stored in a bottle but is made as and when required. I love this method. The steps to do so are as follows:

• We add Eno in the end just before steaming. So in this case also, when you have made the batter, sprinkle Baking soda over it and on it squeeze lemon juice. As soon as you put lemon juice, you will see the reaction.... the bubbles all over. Now gently mix it and steam it.
• Or, you can take Baking soda in a bowl, add lemon juice and then put this mixture over the batter. Either way, you can use it.
• You have to use it like you use Eno. Whatever quantity of Eno you use, take that much Baking soda only and squeeze lemon juice over it. You can use distilled white vinegar also in place of lemon juice.
• For 200 grams of semolina, use 1/2 tsp baking soda and on it squeeze 1 Tbsp lemon juice. Idlis came out perfect as you can see in the pic. Thus,

1/2 Tsp Eno = 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda + 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

 

 Eno With Lemon Juice For Acidity

Take a glass of water. Add a pinch of rock salt and juice of the half lemon. Add 1/4 tsp (heaped) Baking Soda. You will get the fizz. Consume it immediately.

In 200 ml Water add 1/8 tsp Rock Salt + 1 Tbsp lemon juice + 1/2 tsp Baking Soda

Also, take care that you first add lemon juice to the water. This is because baking soda reacts with acid only and not otherwise. If you first add baking soda then it will not be effective.

 

FAQs

Q) Is homemade Eno as good as a store-bought one?

This homemade Eno Fruit salt is equally effective as the one bought from the store and can be used in the kitchen as well for treating acidity. 

Before we dig further into the ingredients and other details, let us understand what actually Fruit Salt is.

Q) Is Eno baking soda? What is the difference between Eno and Baking Soda?

• Eno and Baking soda are not the same! Eno is a much broader term than baking soda.
• Though it is clear to you by now but still. Eno is a compound made up of three chemicals, namely, Baking soda, citric acid, and salt. Whereas, Baking soda is just one chemical which is sodium bicarbonate. 
•   Scientifically, soda bicarbonate reacts with acid only. If there is no acid or insufficient acid then there will be no reaction. In that case, soda bicarbonate will taste pungent.
• Therefore, if you use only baking soda without citric acid or lemon juice then your idlis or dhokla will neither puff up nor taste good.

Related Articles:  Difference Between Baking Powder and Baking Soda

 

Conclusion: To sum up, 

I would say that using baking soda along with lemon juice is a perfect substitute to Eno.

I hope you have found this info plus the recipe of homemade Eno useful and will give it a try when needed.

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