Instant yeast is an easy-to-use leavening agent for homemade bread baking. Breads made with instant yeast take half the time to rise, thus reducing time spent in the kitchen.
What is Instant Yeast?
Instant yeast is an active strain of yeast. According to Absolute Astronomy, "Instant yeast appears similar to active dry yeast, but has smaller granules with substantially higher percentages of live cells. Instant yeast generally has a small amount of ascorbic acid added as a preservative."
Instant Yeast vs Active Dry Yeast
Instant yeast can be added directly to the dry ingredients in this bread recipe. It does not need to be dissolved first, making it especially easy to use. "It (SAF Instant Yeast) is a high potency, fast acting yeast that can be added directly to your dry ingredients without it having to be activated in water first. SAF Instant Yeast is more than twice as active as regular compressed yeast," says Breadtopia.com.
Active dry yeast requires that it be mixed in a bit of warm water to activate it, then it is added to the remaining ingredients. Unfortunately, using active dry yeast leaves room for error as the water temperature has to be just right in order to work. If the water temperature is too hot, the yeast will die. If the water is too cool, the active dry yeast fails to activate. Both scenarios often result in a botched batch of bread.
Where to Buy Instant Yeast
Instant yeast comes in sleeves of three packets (usually 2 1/4 teaspoons or 1/4 ounce each), 4-ounce jars, or in 1-pound bricks (vacuum packed packages). Instant yeast can be purchased in large grocery stores in the baking aisle, natural food or health stores, or online from companies that specialize in bread-making equipment and ingredients such as King Arthur Flour Company based in Norwich, Vermont. Look for instant yeast packets in the cooler, small jars and 1-pound bricks of SAF instant yeast are generally displayed on the store shelves. Check the date on the package, and make sure the instant yeast is fresh.
Rising Times with Instant Yeast
This list of 5 Homemade Bread Recipes: Healthy Whole Grain Breads and Rolls needs only one rise, or "proofing" - in the bread pans. Because the bread recipes use instant yeast, they don't need a second rising - a concept foreign to grandmothers everywhere. The initial rising and punching dough down in the bowl normally takes at least one hour. The technique used in the homemade bread recipes substantially cuts down the time to make bread because it needs only one rising.
How to Substitute Instant Yeast
Substitute 25% less instant yeast for active dry yeast or bread machine yeast. If substituting for fresh cake yeast, use one packet or 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast. As mentioned above, the active dry yeast needs to be dissolved in tepid water prior to baking, as does fresh yeast.
How To Store Instant Yeast
Instant yeast has no special storage needs, and can be kept on the cupboard shelf unopened until the expiration date, or up to 6 months. The yeast will stay fresh longer if stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator or freezer, or up to one year.
Homemade Bread Recipes Using Instant Yeast
Healthy Bread Recipe: Flax, Sesame, Caraway, Poppy Seeds and Nuts: Fiber-rich Seeds & Nut bread recipe features whole wheat bread flour, rye flour, walnuts, honey and molasses with plenty of seeds for taste and texture.
How to Make Basic Homemade Yeast Bread: Recipe for Making Simple Yeast Bread with Healthy Ingredients. Making homemade yeast bread isn't hard. Where to buy ingredients, what kind of yeast to use for bread, and kneading bread by hand, mixer or machine are answered in this article.
Healthy Multi Grain Bread Recipe: Nine grains, whole wheat flour and honey bake into a homemade loaf of multi-grain yeast bread for dinner rolls or sandwiches. Healthy, hearty bread recipe makes 4 loaves.
Source: Absolute Astronomy
Donna Diegel - Donna Diegel is an experienced baker and published author with more than 25 years of experience in the food industry.
