Does yeast need light to grow?
The bread I make using yeast rises in the dark.
No, yeast does not need light to grow. In fact, yeast is classified as a type of fungus and just like most fungi, it thrives in moist and warm environments. While light can have certain effects on other living organisms like plants, yeast relies primarily on other factors such as temperature, moisture, and nutrients for growth.
When making bread using yeast, the rising process occurs due to the yeast fermenting sugars and producing carbon dioxide gas. This gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise. The light or darkness of the environment does not directly affect this fermentation process.
It is common to let the dough rise in a dark place when making bread because a dark environment helps maintain stable and consistent conditions, including temperature and humidity, which are important for yeast growth. Light exposure can cause fluctuations in temperature and moisture, which can affect the rising process and the overall quality of the bread.
In summary, while yeast does not require light to grow, the decision to let the bread dough rise in the dark is more about creating an ideal environment for consistent and controlled fermentation rather than a requirement for yeast growth.