First U.S. yeast preparation patentIn 1863, the first U.S. yeast preparation patent was issued to J.T. Alden of Cincinnati, Ohio (No. 40,451), for "an improvement in the preparation of yeast" which reduced concentrated yeast from a plastic or semi-fluid state to a dry granular form, a convenient way of preservation for future use. His process was to press the live yeast concentrate through a fine wire mesh to produce threads of the substance of about 1/8-inch square. When laid on drying racks, moisture rapidly evaporated because of the high surface area, leaving the dried yeast in a finely-divided state. The granular form avoided the grinding and crushing needed with using cake form dried yeast, which mechanically damaged the yeast cells, reducing the active yield. |
