A method for providing an acidulant effect in a food. A food is prepared including alkali metal bisulfate in an amount effective to act as an acidulant. Moisture is added in an amount effective to dissolve the alkali metal bisulfate. In a preferred embodiment, a leavened baked good is prepared including a baking carbonate, and alkali metal bisulfate in an amount effective to react with the baking carbonate to release carbon dioxide to leaven the baked good. A food composition includes alkali metal bisulfate in an amount effective to act as an acidulant in the food, and moisture in an amount effective to dissolve the alkali metal bisulfate.