What you need to know about nutritional yeast

Dairy intolerance or diets such as veganism, has had a massive growth in the recent years. People are looking for healthier dairy free products, such as cheese alternative.

Nutritional yeast, commonly used as a substitute for dairy cheese is a cheesy, nutty, flaky, yellow condiment used mainly by vegans and vegetarians. It has its own umami taste to boost flavours, it is low in salt, low in fat and can be added for health benefits.

 

So what’s behind this sought after ingredient?

Nutritional yeast is a dried, inactive form of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (a species of yeast).  It is produced by culturing Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a nutrient medium for several days. The primary ingredient in the growth medium is glucose, often from either sugarcane or beet molasses. When the yeast is ready, it is deactivated with heat and then harvested, washed, dried and packaged. During this process no animals are harmed because yeasts are members of the fungi family, like mushrooms.

 

Since Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, it means yeast cells are killed during processing and inactive in the final product. Therefore, it will not cause yeast infections, like some people claim.  There are other forms of this yeast species and people sometimes use the terms interchangeably, it is essential to note that they are not the same.

 

  1. Baker’s yeast: Baker’s yeast is purchased alive and used to leaven bread. The yeast is killed during cooking but adds an earthy, yeasty flavour to bread.
  2. Brewer’s yeast: Brewer’s yeast can be purchased alive and is used to brew beer. The dead yeast cells leftover from the brewing process can be consumed as a nutritional supplement but have a very bitter taste.
  3. Nutritional yeast: use for food products, helps boost and balance the flavours usually in savoury dishes. it’s a staple in vegetarian and vegan pantries because it has an impressive nutrient profile Just be mindful to not go too hard too quick, having too much fibre too quick can have a reaction with your digestive system and cause digestive upset, so go slow.

 

Nutritional Yeast has a wide nutritional benefit to offer

  • B vitamin powerhouse especially B6 & B12, thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folic Acid, Pantothenic acid. It also has fibres and probiotic which lends a helping hand in the improvement of digestion
  • complete protein source, and contains all of the essential amino acids that our bodies don’t make naturally
  • Minerals include zinc, selenium, magnesium, molybdenum, phosphorus, and potassium, all essential for good health.
  • Contains potent antioxidants, in particular, glutathione. It can help protect your cells and eliminate toxins from your body.

 

In more recent years, Nutritional Yeast is widely use in the development of plant-based cheese alternatives. Although it brings specific cheese notes, other ingredients like cashew nuts and superfoods quinoa, turmeric lucuma with some spices, intensifies the full flavours of cheese, all within our Better Cheddar vegan cheese powder. This blend reinforces the sensation of smoothness and add creaminess you need in a tasty cheese.

 

Enjoy this nutritional hero sprinkled of top of an dishes or make your cheese dreams come true without the dairy and experiment the versatility of this unique vegan cheese blend.

 

 

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