Why does my bread smell yeasty?
In this brief guide we will address the question, “how to get rid of yeast taste in bread?” as well as other questions pertaining to the subject at hand like how to tell if your bread has gone bad.
Why does my bread smell yeasty?
Your bread can smell yeasty because of either improper proofing or adding too much yeast. In order to eliminate the smell of yeast in your bread, there are several things that you need to keep in mind while making your bread. Note that it is almost impossible to bake bread without the use of yeast, so there is no way around it. You just have to take a few precautions while baking and you’ll be good to go with freshly baked bread.
Proper kneading
Kneading? Just add everything and mix it up!
Not quite… When kneading the dough, you must be careful as to completely mix the yeast with the dough.
A good way is to add small amounts of yeast while kneading it, until all the yeast has been added. In this way, the yeast will not clump and will spread evenly in the dough. Using this approach also ensures uniform texture and raising of the dough.
Proper raising
Another common mistake while baking is the raising of dough. Raising requires a definite amount of time, and if you overdo it, you will simply be allowing the yeast to ferment more. Consequently, increasing the chances of over fermentation that results in the yeasty smell of your bread.
Bread usually takes about 45 minutes for proper raising. You can go 5-10 minutes more or less depending on the type of bread you’re baking and the quantity of yeast added. Anything more than an hour will result in over fermentation and give your bread the yeasty smell.
Another way to check proper raising is by measuring it. No, you don’t need a scale for it. Just stick in your finger before and after proofing, and you will know how much your dough has risen. It is recommended that your dough should roughly double when it rises.
Hygiene is important
Whether it is the bowl you’re mixing your dough in or an electrical kneading machine, you need to make sure there are no residuals in the container. Like mentioned before, baking always requires delicacy; anything less or more can turn your product into a disaster.
This is a common mistake that people tend to make while baking. They do not clean their utensils properly and dry them out. It is possible that some of the yeast from earlier is still stuck at the head of your kneading machine (mixer). This will just add extra yeast and your bread will have a yeasty smell.
Similarly, you might also want to clean your oven properly when you put dough into it. Your oven is probably the most susceptible place from where your bread can be exposed to extra yeast. Just think of all the items you bake in that poor thing without cleaning it.
Temperature precaution
Finesse is key! Just when you thought you were out of the whole delicacy thing, comes your next precaution – temperature. Ideal temperature for yeast storage is 75-85 Fahrenheit. After proper kneading and proofing, heat is supplied to make sure that all of the yeast reacts with the ingredients of your dough.
Temperature is a key factor in the making of bread and the enzymatic reactions that take place during its preparation.
Other FAQs about Bread which you may be interested in.
Why does my bread smell like chemicals?
My bread smells like alcohol, can I eat it?
How to tell if your bread has gone bad?
Like mentioned earlier, the best by date is just an estimate and your bread may still be fresh past this date. Therefore, as long as you are aware of the signs of spoilage, the bread will be safe to consume. Here are some classical indicators that help you identify that the bread is no longer fresh or safe to consume.
- Mold
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in different colours. It could be black, green, white, or pink. If you see such a growth or color formation on your bread, you should discard it immediately.
- Unpleasant odor
This is perhaps the most common technique while handling any food product. Simply discard the loaf when you notice the odour of the bread has changed. It indicates either the presence of a contaminant or the growth of microorganisms.
- Strange taste or hard texture
Even if your bread passes the first two indicators, and then does not taste right, it is better to just throw it away and not take any risks. Health is wealth!
Similarly, if you leave your bread out in the open for too long, the bread will go stale and turn dry. This is also an indicator that your bread has now gone bad and it is time to throw it away.
Conclusion
In this brief guide we have addressed the question, “how to get rid of yeast taste in bread?” as well as other questions pertaining to the subject at hand like how to tell if your bread has gone bad.
References
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-remove-kneading-paddles-from-a-bread-machine-for-baking/
https://ifood.tv/facts/304695-how-to-remove-the-smell-of-yeast-from-bread
