Yeast Conversions

I was wondering if you could tell me what the current day equivalency would be for an
old-fashioned yeast cake?

Thanks,

Mary Sanders

Hi Mary,
Here's all you need to know about yeast. This excerpt is taken from the January 2003 Home Cook'n Newsletter issue on bread making.

Hope it helps,

Desi @ DVO

Yeast Conversions. When recipes call for a specific type of yeast, you can substitute the type you prefer easily. If you wish to use active-dry yeast in recipes calling for instant yeast, increase the amount of yeast called for by 25 percent. Vice versa, if you wish to use instant yeast in recipes calling for active-dry, decrease the amount of yeast called for by 25 percent. Instant yeast is much more potent than active-dry. Increasing or reducing the yeast types will encourage a better-flavored product than if you just used the yeast types interchangeably.** (4) 1 packet (2-1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast* = .6-ounce cake of compressed yeast = 1 packet (2-1/4 teaspoons) or scant 1-3/4 teaspoons instant yeast**

* Because of improvements in yeast properties and potency by manufacturers, the amount of yeast in packets has decreased. While older recipes call for 1 tablespoon or 1 packet of active dry yeast, the new yeast packets contain 2-1/4 teaspoons yeast. You can reduce the amount of yeast used in any of these older recipes by substituting 2-1/4 teaspoons per tablespoon of yeast.

**Packets of instant yeast contain 2-1/4 teaspoons of yeast, but using only 1-3/4 teaspoons when substituting for active dry yeast will give better results in your bread; although you may use the entire packet if you wish. Alternatively, add 2-3/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast in recipes calling for 1 packet instant yeast.




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