What is the best temperature of the water used when making yeast bread?
It depends. If making a yeast bread in a bread machine, the ideal temperature, for the best yeast activity, is about 80° F. Since your body temperature is about 98.6° F, which is warmer than 80° F, this will feel cool, but not cold, to you. If using your conventional oven to make the yeast bread, the ideal temperature of the water added, for best yeast activity, is 110-115° F, which will feel warm to you. The temperature at which yeast does its best work is about 110° F. Since the bread machine has a higher friction heat, which will raise the temperature of the water to 110 degrees, you should only add 80 degree water. Since the oven produces a lower friction heat, the water temperature should be at the ideal level of 110° F when added. If the yeast does not reach 110° F, it will inhibit the yeast from working properly, as will overheating of the yeast.
