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  • Cook's Illustrated

    Your Top Bread Questions, Answered

    Dec 20, 2019 5 minutes
    BY ELIZABETH BOMZE

    How can I be sure that my yeast will work?

    Yeast is a living organism, and its activity will decrease over time—even if the package is unopened. To check that your yeast is healthy, run the following test:

    In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of yeast (active dry or instant) with ½ teaspoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of room-temperature water. The mixture should look bubbly within 10 minutes; if it doesn’t, it’s time to buy a fresh supply of yeast.

    How does the temperature of my kitchen affect proofing?

    The ambient temperature impacts yeast activity, which affects how quickly the dough rises and the quality of its flavor. Proofing in a cold (67 degrees or cooler) room slows yeast activity, but that can actually be a good thing since it allows more complex flavors to develop (we often proof in the refrigerator for this reason). An overly

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