The Understanding of Ingredient: Yeast

Yeast is a living organism and is in the air around us. It is a member of the fungus family and is a single-celled fungi of which there are about 160 different species. Baker's yeast, as well as brewer's yeast, belong to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae species. Louis Pasteur in the 1850's is credited with first discovering and understanding the fermentation process which led to the development and cultivation of the yeast we use today.

Baker's yeast, like baking powder and baking soda, is used to leaven baked goods (breads, Danish pastries, brioche, and croissants). The difference between these two leaveners is that baking powder/soda react chemically to produce the carbon dioxide that makes the baked goods rise. Yeast, on the other hand, is a living organism and the carbon dioxide it produces is the result of the yeast feeding on the dough.

The two forms of baker's yeast are; compressed cakes (also called fresh yeast) and dehydrated granules (dry yeast).

Fresh yeast is ivory colored with a yellowish hue and is soft and moist and should easily crumble. Make sure it is fresh smelling and there are no dark or dried places on the yeast. It is mainly used by professionals as it is highly perishable and must be used within a short time of opening. It is sold is .06 ounce foil packages and must be refrigerated. For longer term storage it can be frozen. Compressed yeast contains about 70% moisture. It needs to be proofed before using and should have a pleasant yeasty smell and be foamy.

Dry yeast is fresh compressed yeast that has been pressed and dried until the moisture content is only about 8% which makes the yeast dormant. The granules only become active again when mixed with a warm liquid. The advantage of dry yeast is it has a much longer shelf life than fresh yeast and does not need to be refrigerated. This makes it a favorite among home bakers. The tiny, dehydrated, bead-shaped, sand colored granules are most often sold in convenient small foil-lined packages weighing 1/4 ounce (7 grams) that have been packaged under pressure. Always check the expiration date on the package before buying. It is also sold in 4 ounce jars but once opened, the yeast needs to be stored in the refrigerator away from moisture, heat, and light because once yeast is exposed to air it deteriorates rapidly.

There are two types of dry yeast: regular active dry and rapid-rise. The two types of dry yeast can be used interchangeably. The advantage of the rapid-rise is the rising time is half that of the active dry and it only needs one rising. However, you do sacrifice flavor and texture in order to save time as the yeast does not have time to develop its own flavor.

You may have noticed that in some recipes it calls for dissolving the yeast first in a warm liquid and then adding this active yeast mixture to the flour. Other recipes, however, call for the yeast first being added to the flour and then the warm liquid is added. The dissolving of the yeast first in a warm liquid is done to make sure the yeast is still fresh and active. This step really doesn't need to be done though because of how reliable the dry yeast is today. Also, the dry yeast has such a small granule size that it dissolves easily into the dough without having to be reconstituted separately. Some bakers, however, still feel that it is a good idea to test the yeast to make sure it is still active before adding it to the flour.

Yeast must have three things in order to grow: Moisture, Food, and Warmth.

To activate yeast the first step is called proofing and is a way to test the yeast to make sure it is alive and still active. This is accomplished by mixing the yeast in a warm liquid. In order for yeast to become very active it needs food. Its favorite food is sugar, simple sugars to be precise (glucose and fructose). Some recipes call for adding granulated white sugar which the yeast will break down into its simpler form. But in some bread recipes where sugar is not used, flour can be added to the warm liquid and the yeast will break down some of the starch in the flour to a simple sugar.

Once the yeast, liquid, and flour are mixed together and distributed, the next step is to knead the dough. This step is done to aerate the dough and develops the gluten (elasticity) in the flour. As you knead (press-fold-turn action) pockets of air are developed in the dough. The more you knead the smaller and more numerous the pockets of air become. How the dough is kneaded will determine the final texture of the bread. Dough with larger air pockets will produce a bread with a coarser texture. Commercially made breads or homemade ones that are kneaded by machine tend to have a finer texture than breads kneaded by hand. You'll know when the dough has been kneaded enough as it takes on a smooth and satiny appearance.

The next step is the fermentation or rising of the dough. This is where the dough is placed in a greased bowl and covered with plastic wrap or a clean dish towel to avoid moisture loss and a dry, crusty surface from forming. The dough is then left in a warm, draft-free environment to rise until about double in size. The rising starts slowly as the yeast begins to feed on the sugar. Carbon dioxide and alcohol are produced and the carbon dioxide stretches and expands the existing air pockets in the dough and the dough starts to rise. This is also where the bread's flavor is developed. A dough that doesn't rise sufficiently will be very compact.

Once the dough has doubled in size this signals the next step i.e. the punching down of the dough. This 'punching down' is where the dough is deflated, thereby releasing the large air pockets formed during rising and evenly distributes the temperature and yeast throughout the mass of dough. Depending on what you are making, at this point there may be a second rising. therwise, the dough is shaped and placed in a pan and allowed to rise for a shorter period of time.

The final step is the baking of the bread. The temperature of the oven can vary depending on the baked good. A sweet dough is normally baked at about 350 - 375 F (175 - 190 C). Other dough can be baked at a higher temperature 400 - 425 F (205 - 220 C). During the first part of baking, before the yeast is killed, the dough will rise as you get a last bit of carbon dioxide being released and expanding the air pockets. Once the yeast is killed and the interior of the baked good heats up enough, the dough will set. The last part of the baking is where you get surface browning, adding flavor and texture to the baked good. Often times the surface of the baked good is brushed with an egg wash (can also place a pan of hot water in the oven or spray the baked good with water periodically during baking) before baking so the crust will be nicely browned and glossy.

How long the baked good stays fresh is dependent on the sugar content. French breads that do not contain sugar have a very short shelf life. On the other hand, a sweet dough that contains sugar can stay fresh for several days.