Why Is Yeast Used in Baking Bread?

While not everyone has actually made bread, most people can tell you about the major ingredients. Yeast is known for it's importance to bread baking. But why is it so important in the bread baking process?

Definition

According to "What's Cooking America," yeast is a "plant-like microorganism" that has the main purpose of acting as a catalyst during fermentation. Yeast can be found in any grocery store or supermarket.

Function

The yeast, during the fermentation, creates a gas. This gas forces the bread to rise, marking the difference between flatbreads and the usual bread that many enjoy in loaves.

Benefits of Instant Yeast

Instant yeast is a type of yeast that can be purchased and used for bread. The benefit of this yeast is that it cuts the time of activating the yeast in half, and requires fewer steps.

Identification

Bread can be created without yeast, but gives a far different texture and taste. Breads that do not feature yeast do not rise and are flat. They are also more dense than loaf bread.

Warning

Be sure to check the expiration date for the yeast; it is living and does expire. Be careful to not add too much yeast; as "What's Cooking America" points out, too much yeast will negatively affect the taste of the bread.