During the Days of Unleavened Bread we are to have no leaven or leavened products in our home (Exodus 12:15; 13:7).
During the Days of Unleavened Bread we are to have no leaven or leavened products in our home (Exodus 12:15; 13:7). This includes any agent that produces fermentation and causes dough to rise—yeast, baking powder, baking soda, potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate are ingredients to look for on labels. Items such as bread, cake, crackers, cookies and prepared cereals and pies that contain leavening must be put out. Doing this is symbolic of putting both the visible and hidden sins out of our lives.
Homemade cream puffs, angel food cake, popovers and sponge cake, while light and fluffy, need not contain any of the above ingredients. Most pie crust recipes (except for graham cracker crusts) are unleavened. However, these products, when purchased from stores or bakeries, frequently do include leavening. Check the ingredient list.
Pita bread, flour tortillas and graham crackers, while flat, contain leavening. Even some brands of matzos marked "kosher for Passover" can list baking soda or baking powder in the ingredients!
Brewer's yeast, yeast extract (a flavoring) and cream of tartar (a dry acid) are not leavening agents.
