free fresh yeast (merged)

softpad

Hi guys

I have a BM and always use it but I want to stop and make by hand. Now, I have some great recipes but never know what gas mark and for how long. Can anyone help please?

I make 2lb basic loaves and fist sized buns too.

Would really appreciate any advice. Been making my own yoghurt now for a couple of months and it's brill and so cheap.

reb

starstreet46 wrote: »

how do i get free yeast, do i just go to the baker in the supermarket and ask?

Yes, but it's best to ask a baker or bakers assistant rather than just any old body who is around the bakery.

Blunty

It's a brave man who accuses Bill Blunt of waltzing into a forum and imposing his views, willy-nilly, on a bewildered audience. It's not my style.

For what it's worth, however, I've been getting free yeast from my local Asda for a couple of years now. I've never used it in a bread machine (but I don't, for a minute, decry those who do). Good luck to them! I, for one, am a devotee of hand-baking, when it comes to bread.

http://bluntbyname.blogspot.com/search/label/Bread

Still, my nearest supermarket is a Sainsburys, where they've always refused to give me yeast for free. That means I have to take myself an extra mile and a half to Asda. It's not just because they offer it free - the taste of the final product is actually much better.

My best advice to anyone who wants to bake bread by hand is this: experiment! You may not get it right first time. but it won't be long before you do. Get in tune with the process - read Andrew Whitley's brilliant book - 'Bread Matters', and you can't go far wrong.

The good news is that I've got a friend who has opened up correspondence with Messrs Sainsburys and - without pre-empting the outcome - I'm confident that free yeast will soon be available in their stores. In fact, the person who manages csustomers in Sainsburys - not an easy job! - told him 'We certainly would not want you or any of our other customers to be inconvenienced in having to travel elsewhere'.

Watch this space!

Kind Regards

Bill Blunt

paulfy4

does this really still apply today,as most of these posts were 2005 and before,if anyone has had the guts to ask for it please let me know

thanks paul

reb

Hello paulfy4

I still get free fresh yeast in my Tesco( I used to work in the bakery and regularly was asked for it and if we had it we always gave it!).

As I said though it is best to ask at a time when a bakery assistant is around. The normal workers just don't know where to find it. They give you a chunk, about 3oz. It's best to keep it in a paper bag when you get home rather than the plastic bag they give you it in.

welshlil

i've frozen yeast and never had a problem

idef

Yes don`t freeze yeast as it alive. The more you kneed the bread the better the loaf!! iderf (the baker )

blueberrypie

idef wrote: »

Yes don`t freeze yeast as it alive.

Freezing it doesn't kill it. You can put fresh yeast in the freezer for a few months; it's just fine once defrosted.

The more you kneed the bread the better the loaf!! iderf (the baker )

Over-kneading can make the dough lose its elasticity. Then when it rises, the bubbles are not strong enough and burst, so you get a heavy loaf. You're not likely to overdo it when kneading by hand, but it's possible (and it's quite easy if you're kneading it by machine).

Blue___Nile

I've been getting fresh yeast from my local Tescos for a little while now. Some of which was used today to make Naans to compliment my Veg Curry made in my Slow Cooker. I've never been refused when asking for some free yeast and tend to get a generous lump of approx 100-200g (depending on who cuts the block...if a shop assistant then its smaller, if someone in the bakery department they tend to be a bit more generous). Only problem I have found is if I time it wrong, the whole bakery section has disappeared (tea break maybe?), I've even walked into the oven area looking for someone but have been unlucky so a few times given up waiting and left empty handed.

Blue___Nile

Went to my local Tescos in Purley today and was told they were no longer giving away fresh yeast and was now 20g for 20p. The nice man serving me :j gave me more than that (approx 140g) as I was a regular customer. When asked why they were now charging I was told it was because they didn't have a barcode for it but do now :lipsrseal. I don't normally shop on Saturdays, usually Friday evenings, but yesterday being Good Friday and all I didn't so I might see what happens when I ask next week. So looks like I will either have to pay in future (e.g. you can get it on Ebay or Tescos) or have a think about making sourdough bread. Just a bit of a pain having to make a starter and keep it going. Oh well, they always say good things come to an end eventually.