YEAST FERMENTATION

Question

If I add hot water to a beaker with yeast and sugar will there be a smell even though the fermentation process won't?

Answer 1

Hi Hannah S.,

Even though the fermentation process won't what? Occur?

That would depend; if the yeast is placed at too high a temperature it will be killed. And that would depend on the relative amounts of yeast, sugar, and hot water, and perhaps also on the addition rate of the hot water .... There would certainly be an odor in any event; there are some volatiles released from the hydration of freeze-dried yeast, even if it doesn't start metabolizing -- and no, I don't know what those might be.

-- Cheers, --Mr. d.