Yeast equivalents

[islander]

Hi! I am having a difficult time with yeast. I have found an old cook book with some interesting basic recipes but they are asking for cakes of compressed yeast. I have active dry yeast, but really prefer to used "live" yeast that I get at my local bakery. I cannot seem to find an equivalency for all the different types of yeast. Is there anyone that could help? Thanks so much.

[cape chef]

hi isLander,

If my memory serves me right the conversion is 3/5 ounce of compressed yeast for every portion controlled packet of active dry yeast which is about a tablespoon.
Be aware however depending on what type you use I believe there is a difference of the tempature needed to activate the yeasts compressed around 80 degrees,it begins to dye at 120 and active dry yeast needs 105-115 to activate it. M brown- momoreg, does that sound correct to you guy's?
cc

[momoreg]

Yes, that's right. And if you're ever in doubt, just keep the temperature on the low end. Those portion controlled packets are a scant tablespoon, or 1/4 ounce, to that 3/5 ounce of fresh.

[Eeyore]

When a recipe calls for fresh or cake yeast I've been using 40% by weight of the instant. I also increase the liquid a little.

eeyore

[islander]

Thanks everyone for your responses and help on this topic.

[momoreg]

One other thing, dry yeast needs a lag time to reactivate after rehydration. Fresh yeast can be used much sooner.

[thebighat]

My rule of thumb is to use 40% of the weight of the fresh yeast when using active dry and 33% when using instant. I never add the yeast to water and sugar to "proof it" as I use enough that it is fresh, and a lot of my formulas don't have white sugar in them. But I do dissolve it in warm water, and since I kept finding little grains of instant yeast in my croissant dough, I dissolve that now.