Different types of yeast affect the taste and how much dough rises in baking. Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Active Dry Yeast:

   • How to Use: Use 1 packet, which is about 2¼ teaspoons, for 4 cups of flour.
   • Taste: It has a mild and slightly nutty flavor.

2. Instant Yeast:

   • How to Use: Use about 25% less than you would with active dry yeast.
   • Taste: It tastes a bit sweeter and makes dough rise faster.

3. Fresh Yeast:

   • How to Use: Use around 0.6 oz of fresh yeast for 4 cups of flour.
   • Taste: It gives a rich and complex flavor, which many expert bakers like.

Studies show that yeast helps create about 30% of the flavor in baked goods that have fermented. Plus, yeast produces carbon dioxide, which is important for making dough rise to two to three times its original size in many bread recipes.