Yeast is one of the most important ingredients that is used in culinary science today. It helps to make beer, raise bread, or it can cause an infection that can be quite painful. That’s because yeast is a living organism. It can be found on many animals and plants and is very small. It doesn’t become visible until over 1 million of them are clumped together as a working unit. That means the average packet of yeast that you’ll use for baking contains billions of organisms.
Here are some additional interesting facts about yeast to consider.
1. Ethnically Diverse
Scientists have discovered over 500 different species of yeast that exist in the world today. With each species there can be thousands of different strains that make the process very unique. Not every yeast can perform the same functions as the others, however, so there are specific species that are sought out because of what they can do. Beer makers, for example, will use a brewer’s yeast. Bakers will use a baker’s yeast. Different types of alcoholic beverages will use different types of yeast because of what they can or cannot metabolize.
2. Drink Yeast
If you love to drink beer, then what you really love to do is drink yeast. Most beer that is produced today comes from the fermentation process that Louis Pasteur discovered back in the 19th century. Yeast can even change the way that a beer smells, so selecting the proper yeast is incredibly important. To help facilitate the selection process, a flavor wheel of yeasts has been developed so that aromas and flavors of beer can be tracked.
3. Blame It on the Romans
The Roman Empire discovered that if you leave dough out in the sun, it can be revived into workable dough once again if sugar is added to the mixture. What they discovered was yeast, although they didn’t realize it. Yeast actually lives in liquid environments, not dry environments. When you’re using a packet of yeast, what you’re actually doing is using yeast that has been “dried” in the sun like the old Roman dough.
4. Give It Some Time
When you look at the average recipe that uses yeast, you’ll typically be instructed to allow the mixture to sit anywhere from an hour to a day. The reason for this is because the yeast need to eat. You’re wanting them to consume elements within the dough or mixture so that a specific result can be achieved. This is also why you’ll work dough over a time or two before baking it. The working over period allows the yeast to come into contact with more of the food it loves.
5. Some Like It Hot
Yeast grows at temperatures around 90F, but it dies off at temperatures around 100F. The reason why hot temperatures aren’t used is because it changes the flavor of breads or beers that are being made. Lower temperatures produce lower amounts of acetaldehyde.
Yeast is a pretty amazing organism. It lets us enjoy food and drink and even lives with us every day. As long as we stay balanced in health, the yeast will typically stay balanced as well.