Fresh -V- dried yeast

Zziggi

Our local ASDAs will give you free fresh yeast if you ask for it. I just wondered if anyone has used fresh yeast in their breadmaker rather than the dried yeast that is recommended (BTW i have a panasonic SD-253)

Hunnymonster

In a Hunnymonster 1.0 breadmaker (read hand made) it makes bug^H^H^H very little difference what sort of yeast is used - why not hazard the 10 bobsworth of flour/leccy and see if it's any good ?

Ticklemouse

Zziggi - I was wondering this last night so tried it out on a plain white loaf. Just had a butty and very nice it was too

I have the MR Ultimate but it's very similar to the Panasonic. I didn't know how much to use especially as my scales are not very accurate or sensitive to small amounts, but I found in my Good Housekeeping Cookbook the following :

"Dried yeast is easiest measured in 5ml (1 level tsp) or 15ml (1 level tbsp) spoonfuls. As it is more concentrated than fresh yeast, generally half the amount of dried yeast is required, so that 15ml (1 level tbsp) dried yeast has the same effect as 25g (1oz) fresh yeast."

Thus, as I usually use between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 tsps of dried yeast, I added just under 1 level tbsp of fresh yeast to a little bit of the tepid water, mixed it and added it to the tin. I switched the BM straight away as this is not suitable for leaving on a timer.

I didn't add any sugar as this is needed to activate the dried yeast and I have cut the salt down from 1 1/2 tsp to 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. I added a vit c tablet and the loaf has risen very well. It's still quite heavy inside, although not unpleasantly so. I may try another loaf tonight as I have enough freah yeast left.

HTH

TM

ps Googled yesterday to see if I could get the quantities required, before I found it in my cookbook - and it brought me back to one of my own posts on here

Zziggi

I think i'll have a go with some fresh yeast tomorrow. Your info is really helpful ticklemouse, thanks!

BTW how do you store fresh yeast? fridage? sealed container at room temp?

Ticklemouse

I keep mine in the fridge - in fact, must put some more bread on now.

However, as most of my bread will be made using the timer/overnight, I think I'll generally stick to the dried stuff. After all, 99p per tin and 20 - 30 loaves? Not too expensive compared to the free fresh yeast.

Zziggi

Ticklemouse wrote:

I keep mine in the fridge - in fact, must put some more bread on now.

However, as most of my bread will be made using the timer/overnight, I think I'll generally stick to the dried stuff. After all, 99p per tin and 20 - 30 loaves? Not too expensive compared to the free fresh yeast.

very true. Just thought i'd try the free stuff anyway.

cozzie

I don't have a breadmaker, so, all of my bread is handmade and I must say that since finding the FREE yeast in Asda I have to say that the fresh yeast is WAYYYYY better. Seems to taste creamyer, the recipe that I use is in the recipe thread on here.

Thank you.

elona

Ticklemouse

Where do you get the tins of dried yeast - I have been trying everywhere with no luck and those fiddly little sachets are driving me mad!:eek:

jordylass

Bump this as I'd like to know where to get the tins from also.

squeaky

I couldn't find a post with a supplier in, though I'm pretty sure there's one somewhere...

..but why not try asking at the baking counter of Tesco or Asda for some of their "old" yeast - it's free.

squeaky

In the Cooking section of the MEGA Index sticky at the top of the forum listing you'll find a thread on yeast advice and supplies listed under breadmaking.