How to Make Yeast for Long Term Storage

When it comes to stockpiling food for a long-term emergency situation, one crucial ingredient that often gets overlooked is yeast. Yeast is essential for baking bread, pizza dough, and other delicious homemade goodies. But what do you do if you can’t get your hands on fresh yeast? The answer is simple – make your own! In this article, we will show you how to make yeast for long-term storage, ensuring you can continue baking even when the shelves are bare.

1. Gather the Ingredients

The first step in making yeast for long-term storage is to gather the necessary ingredients. Fortunately, you only need a few things:

Unbleached flour
Water
Sugar

Make sure you have enough of each ingredient to produce the desired amount of yeast.

2. Create the Yeast Starter

Once you have your ingredients, it’s time to create the yeast starter. Here’s how:

In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of water, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir until well combined.
Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours. This will allow wild yeast to start fermenting.
After 24 hours, check the mixture. If you see bubbles on the surface and detect a sour smell, it means that the wild yeast has successfully developed.

At this point, you have created your yeast starter, which will serve as the foundation for your long-term yeast supply.

3. Store the Yeast

Now that you have your yeast starter, it’s time to store it properly for long-term use. Here are a few options:

Refrigerator: Transfer the yeast starter to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator. It should stay viable for several weeks.
Freezer: Divide the yeast starter into small portions and freeze them in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the yeast cubes to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer. Frozen yeast can last up to six months.
Dehydrating: If you’re looking for an even longer shelf life, you can dehydrate the yeast starter. Spread the starter thinly on a parchment-lined baking sheet and place it in an oven set to the lowest temperature. Leave the oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. Once the starter is completely dry and brittle, crumble it into a sealed container. Dehydrated yeast can last for years if stored in a cool, dark place.

Choose the storage method that suits your needs and resources best.

4. Activating the Stored Yeast

When it’s time to use the stored yeast, you’ll need to reactivate it before adding it to your recipes. Here’s how:

Take out the desired amount of stored yeast from the refrigerator, freezer, or storage container.
Add warm water (approximately 110°F) to a small bowl.
Crumble or dissolve the yeast into the warm water, stirring gently until it is fully dissolved.
Let the yeast sit in the warm water for about 10 minutes. It should foam and bubble, indicating that it’s active and ready to be used in your recipes.

Now you can use the reactivated yeast in your bread, pizza dough, or any other recipe that calls for yeast.

My 2 Cents

Making your own yeast for long-term storage is not only a great way to ensure you have this essential ingredient on hand, but it also allows you to become more self-reliant in your food preparations. Whether you choose to store your yeast in the refrigerator, freezer, or dehydrated form, make sure to label and date your containers for easy organization and rotation.

Remember, yeast plays a crucial role in bread-making, as it helps the dough rise and gives it that wonderful texture and flavor. By following the steps above, you can continue to enjoy freshly baked goods even in times of uncertainty.

So, don’t let a yeast shortage deter you from your baking endeavors. Take matters into your own hands and create your own yeast for long-term storage. Your taste buds will thank you!