Yeast is one of those ingredients that any hostess always has. After all, they make baking lush and soft.
The stores sell pressed “live” yeast and several varieties of dry yeast, which differ not only in their names, but also in their appearance and use.
Pies, pies, buns are baked from yeast dough, they fry belyashes and donuts, make pancakes and pancakes. In each case, different products are used for kneading such dough, but one ingredient remains the same. This is yeast.
Usually the amount of yeast for different types of products varies considerably. This is stated in the recipe, as well as information on the package.
It often happens that part of the yeast is used, and the balance must be somehow preserved. And then the hostess has a lot of questions: where to store the yeast, at what temperature, and most importantly, how long, so that they do not lose the ability to rise?
Of course, dry yeasts are best stored, which is why they are so popular. But some hostesses are categorically against them, believing that tasty pastries are made only from dough mixed in pressed “live” yeast.
How to store pressed yeast
It is advisable to buy such a quantity of yeast, so that they can be used in a week. But since their packaging is usually more than what is required by the recipe, the unused portion must be properly stored.
How to store pressed yeast at room temperature
At room temperature, such yeast will disappear every other day.
If there is no refrigerator, for example, in the country, then proceed as follows.
- The yeast is ground and ground with flour.
- Scatter them on a clean sheet of paper and dry.
- Pour into a jar and cover with gauze or any breathable fabric.
Such yeast is stored no more than 3 days.
Before use, they are poured with a small amount of warm water, add a pinch of sugar and a little flour. Stir well. If in 15-20 minutes the liquid is covered with a cap of foam, the yeast is suitable for further use.
How to store pressed yeast in the refrigerator
It is believed that pressed yeast placed in a refrigerator retains all its properties for 10-12 days. But only if they have not been frozen before and were bought fresh.
Fresh yeast has a light color, thick texture and a pleasant, slightly sour smell. They crumble easily in the hands, leaving no residue.
They are wrapped in paper or foil and placed on a shelf closer to the freezer.
They cannot be packed in a plastic bag, as they will suffocate in it and die. The fact that they are gone, will say an unpleasant, repulsive smell and dark brown color.
Twelve days is the deadline for keeping the yeast in the refrigerator, because after 5-6 days the yeast can become covered with a dark crust, which lacks the ability to lift the dough. To check the quality of the yeast after such storage, they need to feed. To do this, use only the part of the yeast that remains light, and the darkened places must be thrown away.
The yeast is dissolved in a small amount of warm water, adding to it a little sugar and flour. If after some time they begin to foam, then they can be safely put into action.
How to store pressed yeast in the freezer
Although many believe that low temperature kills the yeast, but as practice shows, this method of storage among the hostesses is considered the best.
- Yeast briquette is freed from paper, because it will be very difficult to remove it later.
- Cut into portions on 17-20 g.
- Each serving is wrapped in foil.
- All briquettes are folded in a plastic bag, they are well tied and put into the freezer.
Such yeast is stored for 6 months.
Before use, take out one piece, defrost it in the fridge and then put a dough on it.
Frozen yeast rises worse than fresh, so they require a little more than indicated in the recipe. They are also recommended to pre-feed, mixed with a small amount of warm water, which is added a little sugar and flour, and at the same time to check the quality.
How to store dry yeast
Dry yeast is very popular among housewives, because it is stored much longer, and without much hassle. They go on sale packaged in bags and have different weight. While the tightness of the packaging is not broken, the shelf life is 18 months. Although sometimes manufacturers specify other terms - 6-12 months.
Store dry yeast in a dry, dark and cool place.
After opening the package, the quality of yeast deteriorates with each subsequent day.
And although the maximum period of use of yeast after opening the package is about two weeks, many housewives keep them for several months. And they get very upset when the yeast dough doesn't want to rise.
So that the dry yeast does not lose its active properties, after opening the bag, they are poured into a dry glass jar, sealed with a lid and refrigerated.
If you keep the dry yeast in the fridge, it prolongs the shelf life up to 6 months. Dry yeast can be stored even longer in the freezer.
But whatever the hostess the mistress uses to knead the dough, she must first check their activity with the help of top dressing.
And, of course, you should not make large stocks, as expired or stale yeast not only badly rise, but also make baking heavy, rubbery and tasteless.
