The process used to make yeast can seem complicated at first because it involves very specific steps, instruments, and chemicals, but it's actually very straightforward and quick to learn! You can culture yeast at home using a few basic kitchen tools and household items. Once you have your items, you can begin to make your yeast, which will take some time and requires paying careful attention. But, once you do get the technique down right, you'll be able to make your own yeast whenever you need it, like for baking your own bread, brewing homemade beer, or making other delicious cooked or baked goods that need yeast.
[Edit]Steps
[Edit]Making Yeast from Malt Extract
[Edit]The first heating: making the medium
- Bring 1 cup of water (250 ml) to a boil. Once you have achieved this, remove water from the heat.
- Stir 15 grams (1/2 ounce) of malt extract into the water until it is completely dissolved. Bring it to a boil for another 10-15 minutes. This will ensure sterility.
- This second boil is sanitizing the medium mixture, which is called “wort.”
- Add a packet of gelatin to the wort. Stir it until it is dissolved -- completely dissolved.
- Pour some of the gelatin-wort mixture into each of the jars or dishes you’re using to make your cultures. Fill each container about 1/4 inch full. It's easiest to do this with a sterilized funnel if you're using a test tube or vials.[1]
- Keep one empty jar or dish aside for use later in the culturing process.
[Edit]The second heating: inoculating the medium
- Place the jars or dishes in the bottom of the large stock pot. Make sure it has a lid! This is where having vessels with a flat bottom comes in handy. If you're using tubes with a rounded base, you'll need to rack them to stand them up.
- Add 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm) of water to the dish. Or enough so that the water comes halfway up the sides of your culturing vessels. Make sure the water does not get inside the jars.
- Add the jar lids carefully. Don't put them on, just in -- this will sterilize them. If you put them on, everything may explode.
- Bring the water in the stock pot to a boil. Keep it on high for 15 minutes to sterilize the culturing vessels. Then remove vessels from the hot water using your kitchen tongs and cool completely. This may take a while, so be patient.[2]
