The whole world, including Canada, was crazy to buy yeast during the coronavirus lockdown. We received many questions from our customers about the difference between fresh yeast and dry yeast.
What is yeast?
It is a living microscopic single-cell organism that, as it grows, converts its food into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Also known as fermentation. This trait is what endears yeast to winemakers, brewmasters and bread bakers.
Sometimes called cake or compressed yeast, is a block of fresh yeast cells that contains about 70% moisture. It is commonly used by baking professionals. It’s pale beige in colour, soft and crumbly. Its texture similar to a soft pencil eraser, and has a stronger smell than the dry one.
To use fresh yeast, crumble it into small pieces first. After that, you can add it to the dry ingredients or soften it in warm water and proceed with the recipe. Fresh yeast is great in breads that require a long, slow rising time. Because it activates more quickly than dried yeast and also stays active for a longer period of time.
What is Instant Dry Yeast?
It is the most popular type that was introduced in the 1970s. It is made using a similar process as active dry yeast, although it is dried more quickly and milled into finer particles. Because of this, it dissolves and activates faster. Unlike the active dry, instant yeast doesn’t have to be proofed first; it can be mixed straight into the dry ingredients with the same result. This yeast also gives you two separate rises.
How to Substitute Dry Yeast for Fresh Yeast
Because fresh yeast has moisture in it, you should use 3 times the fresh yeast in weight for the same rising ability of instant yeast and 2.5 times the amount of active dry yeast.
- 7 grams instant yeast = 1/4 ounce = 2 1/4 teaspoons = 21 grams fresh yeast or 1 1/4 blocks (0.6-ounce size) or about 1/2 block (2-ounce size) fresh yeast.
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast (3 grams) = 1/2 block (0.6 ounce size) fresh yeast.
- 7 grams of active dry yeast = 2 1/4 teaspoons = 17.5 grams fresh yeast = 1 block (0.6-ounce size) or 1/3 block (2-ounce size) of fresh yeast.
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast = 1/3 block (0.6-ounce size) of fresh yeast.
