How to Test Yeast, Baking Powder and Baking Soda for Freshness.

Do you ever wonder if your yeast, baking powder and baking soda are fresh? If you haven't used these products in a while and you're unsure about their freshness, I have perfect methods for you to do so. If the yeast, baking powder and baking soda aren't fresh, your baked good won't rise properly.


It is recommended that you test your yeast to determine the strength, freshness and ensure that it is still active. If it's not, you are going to regret it. With expired baking soda, you can technically still use it for cleaning as it might have some potency remaining, but it will not be powerful enough to be used for baking. Using expired baking powder is a complelety different story. With that, you'll only end up with flat cakes etc and unfortunately, there's no remedy for that.

So, before you chuck these products away, check to see if they're still viable.

Here's how.

Testing Yeast:

Add a tsp of yeast in some warm water (make sure the water is NOT HOT otherwise it will kill the yeast, it has to be finger-bearable warm) then add a few pinches of sugar and keep it covered for about 10-15 minutes. If it doesn't froth, then the yeast isn't active and you might need to replace it. 

Testing Baking Soda:

Pour a few tablespoons of white vinegar into a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda -- if it's fresh, the mixture should fizz and bubble furiously. If it doesn't have a strong reaction, then you might want to consider tossing it and buying a new box or just setting it aside for cleaning pots and pans.

Testing Baking Powder:

Pour a few tablespoons of warm water into a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder to the warm water -- the mixture should fizz moderately if the powder is fresh. If there is no reaction, then chuck it and buy a new canister of baking powder.

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