Ammonium Bicarbonate is used in the food industry as a raising agent for flat baked goods, such as cookies and crackers, and in China in steamed buns and Chinese almond cookies. It was commonly used in the home before modern day baking powder was made available. A leavening agent, and the forerunner of today's baking powder and baking soda. Originally made from the ground antlers of reindeer, this is an ancestor of modern baking powder. It is a colourless solid that degrades readily to carbon dioxide, water and ammonia.