How to Make Chickpea Yeast? Photo Narration in 6 Steps

Chickpea yeast, which is known as the traditional ingredient of bread and yogurt, is one of the cornerstones of Anatolian cuisine from past to present. With the introduction of ready-made yeasts into the kitchens, chickpea yeast, which we have not heard of even in the villages, is a candidate to become a favorite of the kitchens again with its benefits and naturalness.
Chickpea yeast, an ingredient we brought from Central Asia to Anatolia, is the main leaven for traditional bread and yogurt prepared in different regions.
Yeast, which is known as the first type of yeast used in Turkish history and also known as chickpea bread, is a type of yeast made from chickpeas, as its name suggests. Yeast, which is basically prepared by adding water, flour and salt to the chickpea and subjecting it to the fermentation process, allows the bread to rise and the milk to ferment. Unlike instant yeasts used today, chickpea yeast keeps bread fresh longer. At the same time, it makes the difference by allowing the bread to rise more and the yogurt to ferment faster.
How to Make Chickpea Yeast?
The recipe for chickpea yeast, which is also known as sweet yeast among the people with its slightly sweet taste from chickpeas, may not be known by everyone. Especially those who want to get to know chickpea yeast better and try it in the kitchen may wonder how chickpea yeast is made or how chickpea yeast is made.
So let’s satisfy this curiosity:
Contrary to popular belief, the preparation of chickpea yeast is easier than sourdough but requires patience. The necessary materials for chickpea yeast, which is prepared in a short time but takes a long time to ferment, are a jar with a wooden spoon, with a measure of chickpea, 2 glasses of water, a pinch of salt and 3 spoons of flour.
1) Yeast is started by mashing the chickpeas into three or four pieces, at least one night before, into coarse grains.
2) Chickpeas, which are crushed into large pieces, are taken into a glass jar and salt is added on top of it.
3) Add 2 glasses of water to the ingredients.
4) All ingredients are carefully mixed.
5) Afterwards, the yeast is left to stand between 40 and 50 degrees. In order for the yeast to take hold, it is necessary to be careful that the temperature does not drop too much.
6) The next day, the chickpeas of the foaming and rising yeast can be filtered and the foamy part can be used.
How to Store Chickpea Yeast? Where is it sold?
Natural chickpea yeast, which is prepared at home, is not very common because it is a type of yeast that is less durable. Yeast, which is usually used immediately to leaven bread or yogurt as soon as it is made, must be stored under delicate conditions in order to be used again. It can be stored for a while in a glass jar, especially if the ambient temperature is maintained. If stored at the right temperature, the yeast, which can be used later, is taken to the storage process after it swells and foams. When it will be used later, it can be used by feeding with pre-yeast. It is not right to store chickpea yeast in the refrigerator, because the cold air in the refrigerator causes the yeast to deflate.
So, where is chickpea yeast sold? Those who want to buy reused chickpea yeast like instant yeast will, unfortunately, be disappointed, because chickpea yeast is not a type of yeast sold in markets like instant yeast.
What are the Benefits of Chickpea Yeast?
- Chickpea yeast is a food rich in vitamin B and regulates the nervous system thanks to vitamin B. Bread and yogurts prepared with chickpea yeast give more energy.
- Yeast, which is suitable for consumption by those with digestive system problems, does not disturb the stomach. At the same time, recipes prepared with chickpea yeast do not cause a feeling of bloating in the stomach or intestines.
- Since it is a naturally made yeast, it allows to prepare healthy recipes, and foods prepared with chickpea yeast give a feeling of fullness for a longer time and delay hunger.
Making Yogurt from Chickpea Yeast
One of the most common uses of chickpea yeast, which can be added to every recipe instead of instant yeast, is its use as a yogurt starter at home. Yogurt fermentation with chickpea yeast is not a very different process than expected. You can make yogurt with an unusual flavor by fermenting milk naturally. Before using chickpea yeast in yogurt production, the yeast must be filtered and purified from chickpea grains. Filtered yeast is added to milk that has been boiled and pasteurized before and kept at room temperature.
The milk, which is mixed and taken into a glass jar, is wrapped with a thick cloth to keep it warm and left to ferment for 4 to 6 hours. You can increase the chance of the yeast taking hold by choosing natural milk instead of ready-made milk for yogurt. Yogurt that is fermented at the appropriate temperature is not only much more delicious with its taste than ready-made yogurts, but also a recipe that you will consume with health and pleasure. It is also possible to ferment yogurt again by separating some of the yogurt fermented with chickpea yeast.
How to Make Bread Yeast from Chickpeas?
Making bread with yeast in the form of foam prepared from chickpeas is slightly different from making yogurt. In order to make bread from chickpea yeast, first of all, it is necessary to ferment the prepared chickpea yeast again. In the process called pre-fermentation, which is done after the main yeast is prepared, approximately 8 spoons of warm water and 8 spoons of organic wheat flour are added to the pre-frozen and swollen chickpea yeast. It is mixed until it becomes homogeneous.
The prepared mixture is covered with cling film and left to rest for 2-3 hours. You can understand that chickpea yeast, which is fermented again at room temperature, is ready from its pores. After preparing the yeast with an eye, the chickpea baker’s yeast is obtained. Making bread from yeast is not different from making regular bread at home.
2 Tried Chickpea Yeast Recipes That Give Conclusive Results
Chickpea yeast, which is the local and hidden secret of Anatolian cuisine, is the main ingredient for making full-bodied puffed bread and delicious yogurts. However, it would not be right to limit the usage area of chickpea yeast to bread and yogurt only. It is also seen that kefir yeast is made from chickpeas, and surprising results are obtained by using the prepared chickpea yeast in different pastries.
1) Natural Chickpea Yeast that You Can Use in Making Yogurt and Bread
The retention of chickpea yeast, which is a recipe left to us from our ancestors with its natural structure, depends on very sensitive conditions. It is recommended to be prepared by paying attention to issues such as temperature, water quality, chickpea selection. The chickpea yeast recipe, which gives precise results, comes before you as a recipe that everyone who uses natural products at home should try at least once. You can use sweet yeast in the kitchen by adding it to all kinds of dough that rises, and you can make fragrant yogurts when it is prepared carefully.
2) A New Taste for Your Bread: Making Bread from Chickpea Yeast
The first recipe you will prepare after the yeast has settled is a sweet yeast bread, in other words, chickpea bread. It is quite easy to make bread from chickpea yeast, which is the exact recipe for those who want to prepare bread with traditional methods. Just like other homemade bread, sweet yeast bread, which is prepared with flour, water and salt, also has such a beautiful appearance that you cannot stop eating it. It creates an environment for a delicious breakfast accompanied by bread, butter or cheese that you will bring to your tables by slicing with its slightly hard top crust and soft inside.