How to Activate Dried Yeast

Yeast are single-celled fungi that are very useful in the culinary and nutritional world. They are an integral part in the production of bread, wine and beer, and some varieties can be taken as a nutritional supplement as a great source of vitamin B, selenium and chromium. Yeast come in both fresh and dried forms, and the dried form needs to be handled in a certain way. Fortunately, it is very easy to learn how to activate dried yeast.

Steps

1
Determine what type of yeast you have. Dried yeast comes in two basic varieties: instant and active dry.^{[1]
X
Research source} If you have instant yeast, there is no need to activate the yeast: Just mix it in with your dry ingredients. If you have active dry yeast, it helps to activate the yeast first.^{[2]
X
Research source}
2
Determine the appropriate amount of yeast. Consult your recipe and measure out the amount of dry yeast that you need.

Advertisement
3
Fill a vessel with some warm water. The water needs to be between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit (37 to 43 degrees Celsius). If the water is too cold, the yeast will not "wake up." If the water is too hot, you run the risk of killing the yeast. Make sure the amount of water you use is not greater than the amount called for in your recipe.
4
Throw a pinch of sugar into the water.^{[3]
X
Research source} Stir to dissolve. This will provide the yeast with a little bit of food to encourage them to start metabolizing. If you don't have sugar, a drop of molasses works well. A pinch of flour will also work.
5
Pour the yeast into the sugar water. Stir vigorously until you can no longer discern the dried yeast granules. Cover the vessel with a towel, as yeast prefer to work in the dark.
6
Let the vessel sit for 1 to 10 minutes.^{[4]
X
Research source} This process is called "proofing" the yeast, and it means you are allowing the yeast to begin metabolizing the sugar and propagate. A minute or 2 is sufficient for most applications, but if you really want to be sure your yeast are alive and well, wait 10 minutes and then check on the yeast. If the water has a little bit of bubbly froth at the top, your yeast are healthy and working.
7
Add the yeast solution to your dry ingredients. Finish executing your recipe as planned.
- If you are using dried brewer's yeast to brew beer, follow the same process listed above. As an alternative, you can pitch the dried yeast directly into your wort, although by doing this you run the risk of under-pitching, as many of the yeast can be killed if the temperature is not perfect.
8
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

How does yeast activate?

Community Answer

Yeast are living microorganisms that feed off of sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which makes baked goods rise. The yeast cells that are sold as "dried yeast" come in tiny little capsules of dead cells to protect them. "Activating" that yeast involves re-hydrating that layer of dead cells to release the living yeast cells inside, which can then feed off the sugars.
Question

How can I find out if my yeast is stale?

Vela0110

Community Answer

One way to find out if your yeast is stale is to sprinkle a small spoonful over very warm water (not boiling or hot), then sprinkle sugar over the yeast. Do not stir. Cover, and wait ten minutes for the yeast to rise and become frothy/bubbly over the water and sugar. If it does, the yeast is active. If it does not, and sinks to the bottom of the bowl or cup, it is stale.
Question

How can any organism, such as yeast, live in dry form?

Community Answer

When yeast is in dry form, think of it as hibernating. It is still alive, but doesn't need to eat, so it lasts that duration of time. When activated, though, it will need a food source.

wikiHow Video: How to Activate Dried Yeast

Warnings

Don't use baking yeast for brewing beer, even if you find yourself with stale brewer's yeast mid-brew. Baking yeast will almost always have live lactobacillus cultures in it, which will give your beer a sour flavor.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 17 Not Helpful 9
Be warned that yeast nomenclature is extremely foggy. On grocery store shelves, you are likely to see "bread machine yeast," "rapid rise yeast," "instant yeast," and "active dry yeast," among other names. Unfortunately, these names are not used in the same manner between manufacturers.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 17 Not Helpful 12