I've been using Lesaffre SAF Red instant dry yeast for several years and it's worked great. I have ordered the 1-lb packages by mail, but now shipping is getting more expensive (and trying to avoid that "big river" outfit). I can buy a 1-lb pkg of Fleischmann's IDY at a local grocer for $5.69:
This looks like a professional product from Fleischmann's/AB Mauri. I can't imagine it performs differently from SAF Red. Does anyone have any experience with this yeast? Thanks!
They will react the same - in other words - they are basically the same. Enjoy!
As far as the product goes, they're the same. I just tossed quite a bit of Fleischmann's IDY that had been in the freezer. The date on the bag when I got it (from Amazon) was already a year old, but should have been good for another year. After a few months, it was performing sub-par, so chucked it and ordered SAF. I blame Amazon, not Fleichmann's and there were probably other factors in my winter kitchen that were contributing to slow rise. As long as the expiry date is good, yours should be fine.
I am in the process of finishing a package of Fleischmann's yeast with the expiration date of 2017. 2x1lb package lasted me a decade and never stopped working.
I found when I mixed the aforementioned frozen yeast with water it didn't foam at all; however, it would make the bread rise eventually. I suspect that means some of the yeast has died, but not all.
I've been keeping a pound of SAF in my freezer and in less than a year it's become nearly inactive.
This one still works fine. I did, however, have a pound of Red that went off before I ever used it.
Just noticed this one. Have had both - both lasted 5+yrs - but there was no "freezing". Just kept in the fridge. Enjoy!
I've been using it for 20+ years. I don't know about Red, but in lean doughs it's indistinguishable from Gold.
Thank you all for the info. I'll give it a go and report if I have any problems.