A soda cracker (also called a saltine) is a thin, crisp, yeast-leavened cracker made from flour, water, yeast, and a touch of baking soda, topped with a light dusting of coarse salt. The dough is fermented before baking, which gives soda crackers their faint yeasty tang despite being named for the baking soda.
They are eaten plain as a snack with cheese or dips, crumbled into oyster stew or chowder as a thickener and garnish, and served alongside soups and chili for crunch. Their mild, slightly salty flavor makes them a neutral base for toppings like pate, hummus, or cold cuts.
Soda crackers are shelf-stable for months unopened, which is part of why they became a pantry and travel staple rather than a fresh-baked item.