Fresh yeast homemade to make baking easier in Lockdown

“Mixing, balancing, & seeing the fresh yeast rising cake is a pure delight of baking.”

Lockdown has taught a ton of things to cooking enthusiasts. Baking proved as the greatest stress-buster in the battle against the COVID-19 threat. Yeast is one of the main baking requirements. It is difficult to get essential food these days. And, due to the closed down of supermarkets bakery items are also difficult to get. Bakers can make a way to fulfill their desire with homemade fresh yeast. This blog will point out the different options, how to activate it, and the perfect way to store it.

Types of yeasts

The kingdom of yeast is very vast that often leave you confused. There are four types of yeast according to their specific application-

Baker’s Yeast-

This is the type of yeast used for baking. Baker’s yeast is the leavening agent in bread and cakes. The nutritional composition of Baker’s yeast distinguishes with the other 3 types.

Brewer’s yeast-

It is the active yeast used to brew the best beer and manufacturing some bread. Also, its inactive form is looked up for the nutritional benefits.

Nutritional facts of Brewer’s yeast-

1. Vitamins (B-Complex)-

• B1 (Thiamin)
• B2 (riboflavin)
• B3 (niacin)
• B5 (pantothenic acid)
• B6 (pyridoxine)
• B9 (folic acid)
• B7 (biotin)

2. Chromium or glucose tolerance factor (GTF)

3. Amino acids

• L-Alanine
• L-Lysine
• L-Arginine
• L-Methionine
• L-Aspartic Acid
• L-Phenylalanine
• L-Cysteine
• L-Proline
• L-Glutamic Acid
• L-Serine
• L-Glycine
• L-Threonine
• L-Alanine
• L-Histidine
• L-Tryptophan
• L-Isoleucine
• L-Tyrosine
• L-Leucine
• L-Valine

4. Protein

5. Minerals

• Iron
• Manganese
• Sodium

6. Folic acid

Nutritional Yeast or Torula Yeast-

As the name suggests, Nutritional yeast is the yeast add-on a diet with its nutritive value. It is inactive yeast which has a nutty, cheese-like savory flavor. Nutritional yeast is interestingly also called “Hippie’s dust”.

Torula yeast comes as yellowish flakes, granules, or powder. It is used in vegan cooking.

Nutritional facts of Fortified Nutritional yeast-

1. B vitamins-

• B1 (Thiamine)
• B2 (riboflavin)
• B3 (Niacin)
• B6 (Pyridoxin)
• B9 (Folate)
• Vitamin B12

2. Trace minerals-

• Zinc
• Selenium
• Manganese
• Molybdenum

3. Antioxidants-

• Glutathione
• Selenomethionine

4. Carbohydrates-

• Alpha-mannan
• Beta-glucan

5. Fiber

6. Lipids (fat)

7. Calcium

8. Potassium

9. Iron

10. Nicotinamide riboside

11. Dietary nucleotides

Distillers and Wine Yeast-

Distillers and Wine Yeast provide character to high gravity spirit. It has complex starch-converting enzymes and high alcohol tolerance. Home breweries should consider Nutritional facts of Distillers and Wine Yeast.

Nutritional facts of Distillers and Wine Yeast-

1. DAP
2. Fermaid-K
3. Amino acids
4. Yeast hulls
5. Unsaturated fatty acids
6. Sterols
7. Magnesium sulfate
8. Vitamin-
B2 (thiamin)
B9 (folic acid)
9. Biotin
10. Calcium pantothenate
11. Minerals

Types of Yeast for baking

1. Dry yeast
2. Fresh yeast cubes

• Dry yeast is pressed and dried for using it later. The dry yeast may be regular Active Dry Yeast and Rapid Rise Yeast which can be used interchangeably. As a home baker, you should be aware of the fore-mentioned types.

i. Active Dry Yeast- It is the commonest type available for baking bread at home. This yeast needs to be activated or proofed with warm water or milk and sugar for milk bread and dinner roll. Surprisingly, it is not needed; you can add directly to the bread flour.

ii. Instant Yeast- Instant is sometimes called Bread Machine Yeast.

So, what is the difference between Active Dry Yeast & Instant Yeast?

1) Instant Yeast has finer granules than the Active Dry Yeast. You may either proof it if you want to or just add dry with other ingredients.
2) Since both are of different strains their flavors differ.

Once you scan the supermarket to find yeast near you more choices pop before you. RapidRise Yeast and Bread machine Yeast…Don’t confuse. They are only different strains. In addition to this, Rapid Rise Yeast is good for the recipe that requires a quick rise.

• Fresh yeast is the compressed yeast and has 70% moisture. It is perishable and remains good until 7 days in the refrigerator. Cake yeast is suitable when you have lots of baking projects at hand like in holidays. Henceforth it is used at professional bakeries. Bakers love it for the beautiful robust flavor in the bread.

Is fresh yeast the same as the active dry yeast?

Both types of yeasts can be used interchangeably. Replacing fresh yeast with dry yeast or instant yeast alters the rising time in baking bread. If you have been wondering how to substitute dry yeast for fresh yeast or vice versa, shed your worry.

Conversion between Cake yeast (fresh baker’s yeast), Active Dry Yeast, and Instant Dry Yeast

Fresh yeast = 3 X instant yeast
Fresh yeast = 2.5 X active dry yeast
Active dry yeast = 2.25 X instant yeast

For example,

Methods to make fresh yeast at home

Where can I get fresh yeast in lockdown so, I need to put off my plan for baking bread? Absolutely not; we at social chef will turn you into a versatile baker. Let’s make our homemade yeast!

So, how to make fresh yeast from scratch?

Method # 1

1. Take half glass water and add 1 tsp sugar. After dissolving add ½ tsp honey. Mix it well.
2. Take 1 cup all-purpose flour in a bowl, pour this sugar-honey solution in batches to the flour and give them a good mix.
3. Cover and keep aside for 16 to 18 hours.
4. After 16 hours you’ll find bubbles surfacing on it. That means your live yeast is ready to use.

Method # 2

1. Make a glass of sugar-honey solution with water. In a glass of water add 1 tsp sugar and ½ tsp honey. Allow it the sugars to dissolve.
2. Add the solution to 1 cup all-purpose flour. Also, add a tsp of sour curd. Mix all well and cover.
3. Keep it in a dark and warm place like a microwave or the top of the freeze or on a battery for 6 hours.
4. You’ll find bubbles on the surface after 6 hours. The yeast is now ready to use.

Method # 3

This is an off-beat method to culture fresh yeast for raising your bread to battle the yeast shortage. You can make your yeast from potato as well!

1. Boil a peeled potato, when done separate it from water. Keep the water.
2. Mash the softened potato.
3. Next, take a jar and add the mashed potato & the water that you have saved.
4. Cover the jar with a muslin cloth and leave it on the counter.

After 24 hours you will see tiny bubbles floating on the top. Shake it and leave for another 1 day. The next day you will see better, more froth. Your potato water yeast starter for bread is ready.

How to store?

Fresh yeast is perishable so do your homemade live yeast of dough starter. So, its proper storage is equally important. Do not store it beyond 7 days in the refrigerator.

How to activate fresh yeast homemade?

It’s a little bit of science to begin. Yeast is a fungus. It converts carbohydrates into carbon dioxide and alcohol in the process called fermentation. It is a single-cell living organism and dies if wrongly treated.

Indeed, your homemade starter needs proofing to make your bread rise. It is important to rehydrate the already prepared dough starter. Add warm water to the top and set it aside for one hour to rehydrate. After an hour your fresh live yeast is good to use.

The different varieties of yeasts available in the market obviously will confuse you. What kind of yeast is the best yeast for you? The straight answer is active Dry and instant yeast is equally good for home bakers. Leave fresh yeast for the professionals as they can better justify it! Moreover, we have a live yeast starter to get you through the problem of finding yeast during the lockdown period. Stay tuned for culinary uses of fresh yeast.

Keep watching for our next post for different bread-making recipes with fresh yeast. Finally,  do not forget to share the post with your friend and family.

Sharing is caring!