Lesaffre | History of yeasts (2024)

Yeasts can be considered man’s oldest industrial microorganism with research showing bread and bread making instruments being used in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists excavating in Egyptian ruins found grinding stones and baking chambers as well as drawings of 4,000 year old bakeries and breweries.

Researchers speculate that a mixture of flour meal and water was left longer than usual on a warm day and the yeasts that occur in natural contaminants of the flour caused it to ferment before baking.

Bread was the most important part of the ancient Egyptian diet. As rice, maize and potatoes were introduced into the country thousands of years later, the early Egyptians depended on wheat and barley to provide the carbohydrates they needed for a healthy, energetic lifestyle. Archaeological sites around Faiyum unearthed storage pits where the harvested grain was kept.

During this time, bakers were using different grains to create a variety of flavors in their breads. Wheat, which was the most common grain in Egypt, made excellent loaves.

To make their breads tastier, bakers began experimenting with different ingredients: honey, eggs, dates, seeds and spices were added to provide a welcome and delicious variety. They would often make their breads in different animal shapes – like birds, fish and cows. While these breads were meant for everyday consumption, some had special significance for rituals.

Lesaffre |   History of yeasts (2024)

FAQs

Lesaffre | History of yeasts? ›

1863: Acquisition of a mill in Marcq-en-Baroeul transformed into a distillary. 1895: The creation of the L'hirondelle brand, the Group's emblematic fresh yeast which inspired the Lesaffre logo. 1923: Refocusing on yeast and malt activities. For the first time molasses were used for yeast production in Marcq-en-Baroeul.

What does Lesaffre do? ›

Lesaffre North America is a trusted partner to bakers around the continent, working to make the art of bread-making more productive, creative, and inspiring. From an at-home kitchen to an industrial-scale baking plant, we provide yeast and ingredient solutions that scale.

Who is the owner of Lesaffre? ›

Today, Lesaffre Yeast remains owned by members of Louis Lesaffre's family (the fifth generation to run the company) and continues to supply non-GMO yeast to artisan bakers throughout the world.

What is the history of Lesaffre yeast? ›

History. The company was founded by Louis Lesaffre, the co-founder of Bonduelle, in the mid-19th century. One of its subsidiaries, Bio Springer, was founded by Baron Max de Springer in 1872 in Maisons-Alfort. In 2004, it formed a North American joint-venture with Archer Daniels Midland, known as Red Star Yeast.

What is the best yeast for distilling fruit? ›

SafSpirit FD-3 is another fructophilic yeast, a strain with a neutral or mildly estery profile that also features low nitrogen requirements and high resistance to ethanol. FD-3 is suitable for any kind of fruit distillate, and is excellent for traditional European-style fruit or grape brandies, schnapps, and slivovitz.

Can vegans eat yeast? ›

Since eating yeast does not cause it to suffer and involves no animal exploitation or cruelty, yeast is typically considered a vegan food. Although, a very small minority of vegans may still avoid it, as it is a living organism.

What is the biggest yeast factory in the world? ›

The Lesaffre Group is the largest producer of yeast in the world.

Who are Lesaffre's competitors? ›

Lesaffre's competitors and similar companies include Canidae, Sopral, Oxbow and Bentoli.

What is the strongest brewing yeast? ›

One of the highest, if not the highest, alcohol tolerance yeast on the market today is called turbo yeast. It is a special type of yeast that yields ABV levels up to 25% in a very short time.

Is Lesaffre a public company? ›

Lesaffre is a private company with an estimated 11,000 employees.

Where is Red Star yeast made? ›

This had inconsistent results, but it was not until the 1860s when yeast was even identified as the living organism responsible for dough leavening. Red Star Yeast, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, started in the late 1880s as Meadow Springs Distillery, which had a side yeast business.

What is the top yeast brand? ›

Fleischmann's RapidRise® is the most popular brand. These yeasts purport to work 50% faster than ADY.

Where is Lesaffre based? ›

Lesaffre UK & Ireland is located in Worcester with our UK manufacturing facility LFI UK in close proximity in Hartlebury.

Who is the top yeast producer? ›

  • Lesaffre. Established: 1853. Website: https://www.lesaffre.com/ ...
  • Angel Yeast Co., Ltd. Established: 1986. ...
  • Lallemand. Established: 1887. ...
  • AB Mauri.  Established: 2004. ...
  • Alltech. Established: 1980. ...
  • Associated British Foods (ABF) Established: 1935. ...
  • Chr. Hansen. ...
  • Kerry Group. Established: 1972.

How is yeast created? ›

The baker's yeast is commercially produced on a nutrient source which is rich in sugar (usually molasses: by product of the sugar refining). The fermentation is conducted in large tanks. Once the yeast fills the tank, it is harvested by centrifugation, giving an off-white liquid known as cream yeast.

How is yeast made naturally? ›

By fermenting water and flour, you're growing colonies of both wild yeast and "good bacteria," or lactobacilli.

How did they make yeast in the old days? ›

History. It is not known when yeast was first used to bake bread; the earliest definite records come from Ancient Egypt. Researchers speculate that a mixture of flour meal and water was left longer than usual on a warm day and the yeasts that occur in natural contaminants of the flour caused it to ferment before baking ...

Where does yeast for whiskey come from? ›

In general, although there is now a large selection of potential yeast strains available for Scotch Whisky production, in reality the bulk of the standard distilling strains used by the industry are supplied from two major sources, Kerry Ingredients and Flavours (Glenochil, Menstrie) who supply Kerry 'M' and 'MX' ...

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