Looking to make your pasta creamier and with a “cheesy” twist? Or perhaps you’re aiming to enrich your soup with more flavor? There’s a culinary secret weapon that can help you achieve these goals, and it’s something your kitchen should never be without – nutritional yeast.
Usually, the word “yeast” conjures images of bread and cakes puffing up in the oven. However, among the vast array of yeast varieties, there’s one that stands out not for its leavening abilities but as a valued ally for those on vegetarian or vegan diets. Beyond just adding flavor to dishes, it’s a powerhouse of nutrients and minerals.
Let’s explore nutritional yeast, where to find it, and how to incorporate it into your cooking to elevate your meals.
What exactly is nutritional yeast?
Nutritional yeast, also called nooch, is an “inactive” yeast that comes from a specific dehydration process at low temperatures or through freeze-drying, ensuring that its nutritional benefits are preserved. It’s packed with plant-based proteins, fibers, and B vitamins (except for B12, although some brands add it).
It is produced by cultivating the yeast in a growth medium for several days. The main ingredient of the growth medium is glucose, often derived from sugar cane or beet sugar molasses. When the yeast is ready, it is exposed to heat and then harvested, washed, dried, and packaged. Often, it is a yeast strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Unlike brewer’s yeast commonly used for baking, which comes from “top” fermentation (produced between 15°C and 20°C), nutritional yeast comes from “bottom” fermentation (produced at temperatures between 0°C and 5°C).
Where to find it
Until some time ago, nutritional yeast could only be found in specialty health food stores or organic markets. However, with a rise in popularity and demand, it’s now readily available in most supermarkets. Its appearance is light beige, and it’s sold in flake or granule form, typically packaged in plastic or paper bags or cardboard containers similar to those for instant barley.
Incorporating it into your cooking
Thanks to its robust and unique flavor, nutritional yeast is a versatile addition to a wide array of dishes. The market offers various strains and processing methods, resulting in flavors that range from nutty to reminiscent of Parmesan cheese.
For optimal use, simply sprinkle it over:
- Cold dishes like salads, raw vegetables, pâtés, smoothies, sauces, and even popcorn;
- Warm dishes like soups, broths, pasta, risotto, béchamel sauce, and steamed vegetables.
It’s best to add nutritional yeast to dishes once they’re prepared, avoiding cooking it directly to preserve its nutritional integrity. However, it can also be mixed into doughs and fillings for a flavor boost. Its adaptability makes it a singular ingredient capable of enhancing your culinary creations.
With this overview of nutritional yeast, why not try it out in a recipe? Whether in flake or granule form, it’s sure to enrich the taste of your dishes.
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