Kitchen

[Sooner]

I have used all the ones King Arthur sells--and I'm not sure I have a favorite.  Do you have a brand that you think stands out?

SAF?  Red Star? Fleishmann's?  LOTS to think about!  LOL!!!

Thanks!  I am getting ready to order tonight.  I keep them in the freezer, but always want to keep them fresh.

[jaxs mom]

I only use SAF instant, both the gold and the regular red. 

[debic]

Fleishmann's or Red Star.  Depends on if I get it at Costco or Sams.   I put in 12oz jelly jars and vacuum it.   Keep it in the fridge.

[Campion]

Absolutely I have a favorite yeast. I bake my own bread and I buy Red Star in the two-pound package. That sounds like a lot, but I empty it into a tupperware-type container and put it in the fridge (you can freeze it as well.) I have not had issues with yeast being active for over a couple years storing it this way. I do "proof" the yeast when it gets older, by putting the yeast in a few tablespoons of warm water with a tiny pinch of sugar. The yeast starts to bubble up and foam and this tells me the yeast is ready to go. I put that slurry into the bread as I make up the dough.

I used to use a bread machine, and you can use this yeast dry in a bread machine, but over time I found that I like the result from making bread in my KitchenAid and it's hardly any more work. Other than washing out the bread bowl and forming loaves, it's about the same work. Just you can't do a dough-to-loaf unattended like you can a bread machine but I feel it's worth it to get a prettier loaf in my Pullman pan or making a braided loaf of bread or a baguette. 

By the way, Red Star yeast IS SAF--it's made by the same French company. If you make a lot of sweet bread, they have a gold formula that works better in high sugar recipes like cinnamon rolls and Hawaiian Portuguese Sweet Bread and coffee cakes. 

[YorkieMom3]

Have to agree with Jaxs mom.. Another thumbs up here for SAF yeast...😘  Did recently try the Fleishmanns Platinum yeast and that is a close second..✌️ 

[KYToby]

I also go for the SAF yeast, but I will use Red Star in a pich.  SAF is actually produced by Red Star.

On thing most people do not know is that dry yeast sold in the U.S. can be used as instant yeast.  Several years ago, the bakers at King Arthur Flour shared this during a workshop, indicating that proofing is not requires -- simply add the dry yeast in with the other dry ingredients.

[jaxs mom]

That's true, I learned that in Bernard Clayton's New Book of Bread about 20 years ago. I quit proofing yeast then and haven't looked back. 

[Sooner]

Do you find ANY difference in rapid rise yeast and instant yeast?  I used to read that the rapid rise was better for breads having only one rise, while regular instant yeast was best for breads that rise twice. 

DO you find that to be true?  I have used the SAF gold and keep it for my cinnamon rolls!

[jaxs mom]

Instant yeast and rapid rise perform the same IME. 

[Sooner]

THANKS for the personal experiences.  I have read so much conflicting information about yeast over the years--it is so good to hear from others who bake!