Modernist Pantry Calcium Hydroxide (Slaked Lime) 400g / 14oz — Food‑Grade, Non‑GMO Vegan

Pure Calcium Hydroxide (slaked lime) is a food-grade powder used for traditional pickling, nixtamalizing corn for tortillas, adjusting pH in brewing, and preserving fruit texture.

Modernist Pantry's Pure Calcium Hydroxide comes as a finely milled, food-safe powder (also called slaked lime or pickling lime) supplied in a 400 g / 14 oz package. Cooks, fermenters, home brewers, and food artisans use it to modify acidity, improve corn masa structure, or create unique preserved textures. This product is non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan, offering a pure ingredient for culinary techniques that call for precise alkaline treatment.

How do I use this for making traditional corn tortillas?

Use calcium hydroxide to nixtamalize dried corn, a step that softens kernels, improves flavor, and helps bind masa for better dough elasticity. Dissolve a measured amount in water, simmer and soak the kernels, then rinse thoroughly before grinding into masa.

• Typical ratio: about 1% to 2% calcium hydroxide by weight of dry corn.
• Simmer kernels for 15–45 minutes, then soak for several hours.
• Rinse until water runs clear to remove excess alkali.
• Grind into masa and rest before forming tortillas.

Can I use it for pickling and preserving fruits or vegetables?

Yes — food-grade calcium hydroxide is used in classic pickling to firm textures and in certain preservation techniques that require alkaline conditions. It can help maintain crispness and is a traditional option for recipes that specify pickling lime.

• Used in cucumber or vegetable pickles following tested recipes.
• Can “petrify” pectin-rich fruit or vegetables to create novel textures.
• Always follow recipe concentrations and rinse steps to remove excess.
• Not a replacement for safe vinegar or fermentation-based preservation alone.

Is it safe for home brewing and pH adjustment?

Food-grade calcium hydroxide can be employed to raise mash or wort pH in home brewing when careful dosing and measurement are used. Brewers commonly add small controlled amounts to correct overly acidic mashes; precise pH testing is essential.

• Use a calibrated pH meter or strips to monitor changes.
• Add minute increments and mix thoroughly between tests.
• Record amounts used so you can repeat successful adjustments.
• Avoid over-alkalizing — small changes have strong effects.

What precautions should I take when handling slaked lime?

Although food-grade, calcium hydroxide is a strong alkali and should be handled with care: avoid skin and eye contact, wear gloves and eye protection, and store it sealed away from moisture. Follow recipe and safety guidelines to ensure safe, effective results.

• Wear gloves and eye protection when measuring the powder.
• Work in a well-ventilated area and avoid inhaling dust.
• Keep container tightly closed and dry to prevent clumping.
• Rinse foods thoroughly after alkaline treatments per recipe instructions.

Who is this for? Modernist Pantry Pure Calcium Hydroxide is geared to home cooks, tortilla makers, fermenters, and home brewers who want a reliable, food-grade alkaline ingredient for traditional and experimental culinary techniques. If you follow recipes that call for slaked lime, enjoy hands-on food preparation, or need a consistent pH adjuster for small-batch brewing, this 400 g supply offers professional-grade purity without additives. Always pair its use with tested methods and safety practices to achieve the results you expect.

Ingredients

Calcium Hydroxide