What is fresh yeast used for?

Fresh yeast, also known as cake yeast or baker's yeast, is a type of yeast that is used in baking and brewing. It is a living microorganism that converts sugar into carbon dioxide gas and alcohol, which causes dough to rise and beer to ferment.

Fresh yeast is made from the fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is grown on a mixture of barley and water. The yeast cells are then harvested and compressed into blocks, which are sold in packages at grocery stores. Fresh yeast has a short shelf life and must be refrigerated.

To use fresh yeast, it must first be activated by dissolving it in warm water along with a small amount of sugar. This allows the yeast cells to become active and begin to reproduce. The activated yeast can then be added to dough or beer.

Fresh yeast is often preferred by bakers because it produces a more flavorful bread than dry yeast. However, dry yeast is more convenient to use and has a longer shelf life, so it is more popular for home baking.