Episode 20: For those discouraged because they can't get homemade yeast to work

My yeast won't grow...

When I first started wanting to bake bread with homemade yeast,
I felt the same way.

When I first started baking bread,
the yeast would stay silent and wouldn't grow at all,
and I would get discouraged every single time.

But I really wanted to make it, so I couldn't give up,
and after months of repeating failures and continuing to make it,

about half a year later,
whether at my parents' house or at the Tokachi workshop,
it started to ferment naturally with a fizz.

It was silent for so long...
The joy I felt when the yeast that wouldn't budge finally made a fizzing sound is still vivid today.

Such immense joy!!! I did a little dance by myself :)

After that, the yeast would wake up sometimes and not others,
and after going through an unstable period,
it started to wake up consistently.

Now that I know about bacteria, I think the environment where I make bread changed.

I'm glad I didn't give up!

Coach Anzai from Slam Dunk's
words, 'If you give up, the game is over,' come to mind.

Furthermore,
the bread starter taught me.

The laws of nature.

A truth that remains unshakable
no matter how times or trends change.

Living in the wild,
cultivating yeast.

It takes time,
but it's very simple.

Observing the pace of the yeast as it changes with the seasons.

Interacting with the yeast through experience.

A two-day low-temperature fermentation pace after kneading is just right for me.

Observe, get to know the other, respect them,
and find a balance that works for your own life.

These are lessons I learned while growing yeast
that apply to life itself.

If there is something you want to do,
don't give up, take another step, and another.
There are days when you take one step forward and three steps back.

It's okay to take a break

Even so, step by step
The world that opens up from there
is far richer than you can imagine

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

If you don't give up, a path will open

What do I want to do?

Your feelings and your heart are what matter most
The yeast taught me that

Not just for starting yeast
For those who are currently moving forward
For those who keep trying at something
For those who are moving forward step by step
For myself on days when I feel weak

Have a wonderful day today too