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Yeast Question
What is the difference between Dried Active Yeast and Easy Bake Yeast?
Dried Active Yeast is simply compressed yeast from which the moisture has been removed. It must therefore be activated with water before use. Dried Active Yeast is the yeast often preferred in traditional home baking methods. Easy Bake Yeast is a combination of dried yeast and the flour treatment agent, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). The way it is formulated means that it is quicker and easier to use than other types of yeast.
What does the term ‘proving’ mean?
Once the dough is kneaded, it needs to prove. This is when it is left to rise until the dough has doubled in size. It rises because as yeast grows, it produces carbon dioxide, making the dough expand.
What is the E number in the Easy Bake Yeast?
E491 (Sorbitan Monostearate) is a rehydrating agent and an emulsifier. This has always been used in Easy Bake Yeast, but due to regulation changes, we were advised to declare this ingredient on the pack. E491 can originate from both animal and non-animal sources, but we have ensured that ours is strictly non-animal, does not include egg or milk products and is nut free. As such, we display the vegetarian symbol on our packs to indicate this.
What does salt do to yeast?
Using salt in a recipe is important since it will prevent the yeast from growing out of control; it also improves the flavour of the final product. However, too much salt will retard the action of the yeast and it is therefore important that when mixing the ingredients together the flour is used to create a buffer zone between the salt and the yeast.
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