How to Activate Fresh Yeast

Fresh yeast, also known as baker's yeast or cake yeast, is a type of yeast commonly used in baking. Here's how to activate fresh yeast:

1. Check the expiry date of your yeast. Fresh yeast has a shorter shelf life than dry yeast, so it's important to use it before it expires.

2. Warm up the liquid. Fresh yeast needs warm liquid to activate properly. Heat up the liquid until it's warm to the touch, but not hot. You want the liquid to be between 105°F and 115°F (40°C to 46°C).

3. Crumble the yeast into the warm liquid. You can either use your fingers or a whisk to crumble the yeast into the liquid. Make sure the yeast is evenly distributed.

4. Add sugar. Fresh yeast feeds on sugar, so adding a little bit of sugar to the liquid will help the yeast activate more quickly. You only need a small amount – about 1 teaspoon of sugar per cup of liquid.

5. Let the yeast sit. Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and let the yeast sit for about 5-10 minutes. During this time, the yeast will start to activate and foam up.

6. Stir the yeast. After 5-10 minutes, give the yeast a stir to make sure it's fully dissolved.

7. Use the yeast. Your yeast is now activated and ready to use in your recipe. Be sure to add it to your recipe while it's still active and foamy.

Remember that fresh yeast is highly perishable, so it's important to use it right away after activating. If you don't use all of the yeast in one recipe, you can store the remaining yeast in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for longer storage.