did I kill my yeast?
Posted by slosha on Feb 28, 2010 · Member since Jan 2010 · 10 posts
I'm trying to make this pita bread:
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=12707.0
but I'm worried I killed the yeast with the boiling water?? What does 'hand-hot' mean? like a tolerant heat to put your hand in? my mixture never really turned "frothy," and I have about 25 minutes left to let it rise but it hasn't risen yet...why would the recipe call for boiling water if it's going to kill the yeast? should I just use warm water in the future? thanks
The water should be warm but not hot. Did you check the expiration date on your yeast? Either it is expired or the water might have been to warm when you added it in. When I make bread I check the water by putting my finger in it. If it is barely warmer then blood temperature then it is ok.
Yes you killed it.
The directions are poorly written, but I read it as you start out with boiling water. The boiling water is what makes it possible to easily dissolve the maple syrup. Then WAIT 'til it cools off to 'hand hot' (put your finger in it and can comfortably keep it in there for 5+ secs). In the future you should follow the directions and be enough patient to allow the water to cool.
yes hanashi, I did follow the directions, thanks. I did it once the water temperature was tolerable for me; I just guess that was still too warm.
yes hanashi, I did follow the directions, thanks. I did it once the water temperature was tolerable for me; I just guess that was still too warm.
Check the expiration date of the yeast. If it is old it won't work.
yeah, the yeast is fine, it expires in 2011 and it worked fine when I made whole wheat bread last week. the water was just too hot. the pita came out ok and even puffed to make pockets. hoping they'll be way better next time when I use warm water!
Heat and Soda Bi Carb are two things that kill yeast.