How to Test Yeast for Baking

Make sure yeast is fresh before you bake bread.

Baking homemade bread requires active yeast. Before you assemble all your ingredients and mix the flour and eggs, make sure your yeast is fresh. Old yeast will not produce a sufficient rise because it will not react to the warm water. By examining the appearance of the yeast and performing simple tests, you can assess yeast for baking before you use it.

Things You'll Need

• Yeast
• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• Metal teaspoon
• Small custard cup
• Mixing bowl

Instructions

1. Examine the color and consistency of the yeast. Active yeast should have a tan-gray color. If the yeast appears completely brown, it may not be fresh. Check the granules of the yeast. Fresh yeast granules stay separate and crumble easily if you crush them. Smell the yeast -- it should give off a desirable, yeasty scent.

2. Mix 1 tsp. of yeast and 1 tsp. of granulated sugar in the small custard cup. Take the back of the metal teaspoon and cream the yeast and sugar together to mix them. Fresh yeast will become liquid immediately upon creaming it with the sugar.

3. Measure the yeast you need for your recipe into the mixing bowl. Add 1/4-cup warm water (90 degrees F) for every tbsp. of yeast you place in the bowl. Mix the yeast and water thoroughly and allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for about three minutes. Check the ingredients after the time elapses. If the yeast is fresh, you will see bubbles in the water. If the yeast is old, no bubbles will appear in the water.

References

• "Joy of Cooking"; Irma von Starkloff Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker and Maria Guarnaschelli; 1997