To activate active dry yeast (a process also called proofing or blooming), mix a spoonful of yeast into a bowl of warm water and sprinkle in some sugar. The water dissolves the yeast particles ...

If the mixture doesn't bloom, this is a sign that the yeast is dead. You can use active dry yeast in place of instant yeast and vice versa, substituting them 1:1. Active dry yeast is slower to ...