Active yeast

Q: How can you tell if your yeast has died?

A: Here’s a quick and easy test that will tell you if your dried instant yeast is still active and OK to use in your baking.

Pop a little of the yeast, about 1 teaspoon, into a small dish and add some sugar, ½ teaspoon is plenty, and then some warm water. Set it aside in a warm spot and if it is still active you will see that it has foamed within about 10 minutes. If it still looks like it did at the start, then your yeast is dead and shouldn’t be used in your baking.

Dried instant yeast often lasts well beyond its best before date (and it’s rare for it to be inactive) but it’s well worth testing it before you throw it away just in case it can be used.

And remember if you’ve bought a canister of dried yeast, once you’ve opened it, store it in a sealed container in the fridge. The sealed sachets can be kept in your pantry at room temperature.

Watch the video of Anneka's explanation below: