How to Hydrate the Yeast in Yeast Bread

Fresh-baked bread differs from store-bought bread in its texture and crust crispness.

Baking bread fills a room with a warm, comfortable and delicious smell. Knowing how to work with yeast is essential when you bake bread as yeast is the agent that causes bread to rise. Yeast is a living, microscopic kind of fungus and comes in a variety of forms. Professional bakers usually work with a "cake" of active yeast, which is often considered that best kind of yeast, but cannot be stored for long periods of time. The alternative to hobby bakers is either dry active yeast or instant active dry yeast.

Things You'll Need

• Mixing bowl
• Wooden mixing spoon
• Warm water
• Active dry yeast

Instructions

Active Dry Yeast

1. Read the packet of yeast to determine how much water you need to hydrate the yeast and for how long you need to let the yeast soak.

2. Cut open a single foil pack of active dry yeast.

3. Pour the yeast into a mixing bowl.

4. Add the warm water to the bowl with the yeast.

5. Use a wooden spoon to swirl around the yeast in the water.

6. Let the yeast and water sit for the amount of time specified in the directions of the yeast packet.

Tips & Warnings

• The yeast is thoroughly hydrated when the water it is in gets foamy.

• Once the yeast is hydrated, you can ensure it mixes with the dry ingredients of your recipe by first mixing it with a small amount of the flour you intend to use for your bread, then mix the remainder of the flour into your bowl.

• Store any unopened packs of yeast in the refrigerator.

References

• Millers Grain House; How Yeast Works; Dennis Weaver
• Res Star Original: Common Baking Ingredients
• Bread World: Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

• Allrecipes.com: Best Yeast Bread Recipes