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Where can I buy live yeast? Who sells it? Can I buy it non-commercially? Does anyone sell it online?

I've found it difficult to find, at least in the United States's grocery stores.

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    You mean those greyish-brown 42g cubes I find in the refrigerator of my local (=European) grocery store?
    – Stephie ♦
    Jan 28, 2016 at 20:19
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    Is there a reason you are avoiding dry yeast?
    – Catija
    Jan 28, 2016 at 22:05
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    So you're aware, this is often called 'cake yeast' (because the shape is called a 'cake' (puck-like), not because it's used to bake confections that are often covered in frosting)
    – Joe
    Jan 28, 2016 at 22:29
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    Where in the US are you? I've definitely seen cake yeast in the refrigerated section in Wegman's, and if I recall correctly, some Giant stores have been known to have it. Even if your grocery store doesn't have it normally, you may be able to put in a request with the store manager.
    – Marti
    Jan 28, 2016 at 23:47
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    According to a couple of sites I read when I saw the question, the idea that live yeast is better is a myth... sfbi.com/fresh-yeast-vs-instant-yeast.html and here thekitchn.com/… But that wasn't your question, so I didn't think to mention it... though it is why I asked your reasoning. :)
    – Catija
    Jan 29, 2016 at 19:43

4 Answers 4

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Both Red Star and Fleischmann's produce fresh cake yeast, but as it is a perishable item with a limites shelf life and a need for constant refrigeration, they limit their sales area and state so on their websites:

This traditional form of yeast is found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Due to its short shelf life, it is available in limited areas only.
(Fleischmann's)

Cake Yeast is available in limited markets in the midwest and northeastern U.S.
(Red Star)

If you happen to live in those states, remember that fresh yeast needs refrigeration, so it will not be in the baking isle with other dry yeast types, but in somewhere in the refrigerators. Ask the shop assistants.

Some users in other forums report that, according to their observation, some stores stock fresh yeast during typical baking seasons like Christmas, but not during the rest of the year. I can not comment on the correctness of that claim, but as I read it in various places, there might be a grain of truth in it. Even stores "in the fresh yeast area" are taking a small financial risk stocking it - it's perishable and the standard consumer buys the dry yeast they are familiar with.

If you are out of luck (geographically speaking) I suggest keeping your eyes open for small ethnic or artisan bakeries. Fresh yeast is available in larger units. If you find a bakery using it, asking very nicely might get you the desired ounce or so. Note the conversion rate - you will need about 3x the amount of dry yeast by (weight).

Buying fresh yeast online is probably a futile attempt - where the manufacturers refrain from shipping truckloads of the stuff, an online retailer would have to go through an unreasonable amount of trouble to ship 2oz yeast and keeping it cool while doing so.

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  • Information that may be useful to the OP: cake yeast can be stored for a long time in the freezer.
    – user68238
    Sep 7, 2021 at 8:27
  • @ruffle … but can lose some of its activity. (Can be compensated by adjusting the rise time).
    – Stephie ♦
    Sep 7, 2021 at 8:34
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Another option-- if it is available to you-- is a grocery store in an area with significant population of recent Eastern European immigrants. There was a Polish store in Ann Arbor, MI (until it closed last year) where the live yeast was available by weight (cut from a big block, of the same consistency as cake yeast).

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Try a homebrewer's supply store, or ask at a local bakery if you can buy some of theirs off of them, or (even better/cheaper) you could make your own sourdough starter.

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  • But I'd need a starter for the sourdough starter…
    – Geremia
    Jan 28, 2016 at 21:49
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    Homebrewers stores sell the same strain of yeast that bread-makers use?
    – Geremia
    Jan 28, 2016 at 21:50
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    @Geremia Not usually. But some brewer's yeasts can perform quite well as bread yeasts... you must keep in mind, though, that they're not designed for bread, so your results may vary broadly and may require some special handling. There are certainly guides on the web to using brewer's yeast for bread, though... but remember that most measurements of yeast are for dry yeasts, not active yeast, so you may need to do some research.
    – Catija
    Jan 28, 2016 at 22:04
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    Sourdough is not the same as yeast, actually. (Sourdough has a different set of microoganisms.) offthegridnews.com/off-grid-foods/… has instrutions for yeast-starters thought :).
    – Layna
    Jan 29, 2016 at 7:27
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For those who have said that dry yeast is the same as fresh yeast: it depends upon the recipe. I have my grandmother's recipe for Refrigerator Rolls. I'm 62 and the recipe is much older than me. I have tried dry yeast in this recipe and it just plain doesn't work. Someone even gave me some instructions to adjust the recipe and it still didn't work. So, every year I go on the hunt to find my fresh yeast. I have found though that you can freeze it, right away, and it keeps a while longer. But, once you thaw it you have to use it right away. I have found it at some Giant Eagle stores. Mina

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