The 8 Varieties Of Yeast For Baking, Cooking, And Brewing

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the name of the organism that causes your bread to rise, despite the word sounding menacing. However, the scientific term won't appear on retail yeast packs. On the other hand, words like fresh yeast, quick yeast, and active dry yeast will be used.  But how do they operate? All these kinds of yeast can be used to create wonderful treats.

Read more: Sandwich Bread Without Yeast? It Is Possible! (Recipe Inside)

Similar to humans, yeast thrives under conditions that include food, water, oxygen, and warm, comfortable space. Yeast starts to ferment when it is happy. Carbon dioxide gas is one of the fermentation's byproducts. This gas becomes trapped in the gluten bubbles in bread, causing the bread to rise and expand.

The Types Of Yeast Used In Baking

Active Dry

This sort of yeast needs to dissolve in a warm liquid before adding it to a recipe. Anything hotter than 110 °F (43 °C) will kill off active dry yeast, so avoid exposing it to liquids at that temperature. Typically, this yeast is sold in 4-ounce jars or 1/4-ounce envelopes (always keep opened jars in the refrigerator).

Fresh Yeast

Cake or a compacted shape, is how fresh yeast is sold. Because this kind of yeast is so perishable, it needs to be used within a few weeks after purchase and kept chilled. Fresh yeast is added to recipes after being dissolved in a liquid. Before each usage, fresh yeast has to be potency-checked or proofed. Dissolve yeast in warm water and stir in a small amount of sugar to proof. The yeast is no longer active if, in five to ten minutes, it does not start to froth.

Instant Yeast

The most active type of commercial yeast is instant yeast. This yeast frequently just needs one rise and doesn't need to be dissolved in liquid before being added to a recipe. This type of yeast has a long shelf life and may be kept at room temperature in an airtight, dry container until it expires. Another name for instant yeast is rapid rise or bread machine yeast. Naming instant yeast as "bread machine yeast" facilitates customer choice over the kind of yeast to use in their bread makers.

Liquid Yeast

Before compressed or cake yeast was developed, this was the most widely used type of yeast in the early 19th century. Liquid yeast is essentially a slurry, like a sourdough or bread starter, made of flour (or other carbs), water, and live yeast culture. The organisms will persist in existing and proliferating as long as new carbohydrates are consistently introduced.

The Types Of Yeast Used In Cooking

Yeast Extract

Often in the form of a paste, this concentrated nutritional yeast product is easily accessible on the market. The strong, umami flavour of yeast extracts makes them popular. They are extremely versatile and have gained a cult following worldwide.

Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast, a deactivated type of yeast, is frequently used in vegan cooking. Nutritional yeast has a nutty or cheese-like flavour and is available in flake, granule, or powder form. It is frequently used as a nutritional supplement as well as a topping or flavour for meals. Since it is a deactivated yeast, consuming large amounts may not cause any harm.

The Types Of Yeast Used In Brewing

Ale Yeast Or Top-Fermenting Yeast

Top-fermenting yeast, sometimes referred to as ale yeast, rises to the surface during the fermentation process of beer-making, producing a dense, creamy head. It is recommended to utilise this yeast at warm temperatures between 50 and 77 °F (10 and 25 °C). In a few days, ale yeast ferments and adds more flavour to the beer.

Lager Yeast Or Bottom-Fermenting Yeast

Lager yeast, often referred to as bottom-fermenting yeast, works best at lower temperatures, namely 44 to 59 °F (7 to 15 °C). Lagers take weeks to mature and produce less froth because the yeast develops more slowly than top-fermenting yeast. As the process concludes, it likewise sinks to the bottom of the fermenter.