What is Nutritional Yeast and Its Benefits

What the heck is Nutritional Yeast?I remember when I first saw nutritional yeast as an ingredient in a recipe. I found the name more than a little off-putting, and I couldn’t imagine what this would add to my dish except for vitamins — maybe. But if you haven’t tasted it before — spoiler alert – it’s actually delicious!

Nutritional yeast — sometimes called Nooch— is now one of the most used ingredients in my kitchen. I think of it as a magical ingredient because it’s as at home subbing in for chicken broth as it is cheese. In fact I always keep a jar of it right on my kitchen counter so that I can add a little whenever I need a savory flavor boost. But it’s not just for vegans or vegetarians — nutritional yeast works in any soup or stew, and is wonderful on popcorn too!

What Is Nutritional Yeast? Nutritional Yeast is a deactivated yeast related to brewer’s yeast, which is used as a fermentation agent in beer making. The yeast is grown on a food source — some brands use molasses — then harvested, heated, dried and crumbled. This process deactivates the yeast, and creates a wonderfully nutty, tasty and versatile ingredient.To preserve all the B vitamins, store in a dark glass or a ceramic container to keep it protected from the light. Since it’s a dry product, you want to lid tightly sealed to keep moisture out — as long as nutritional yeast stays dry, it can last for up to two years.

As you can guess from its name, nutritional yeast is packed with nutrition, particularly B-vitamins, folic acid, selenium, zinc, and protein. It’s low in fat, is gluten-free (check specific brands for certification), and contains no added sugars or preservatives. Because vitamin B12 is absent from plant foods unless it’s added as a supplement, nutritional yeast that contains B12, such as Red Star Vegetarian Support Formula, is a great addition to the vegan diet (though I strongly recommend taking a supplement as the only way to be sure you’re getting enough). Not all nooch has B12, so check the label carefully before buying.The vitamins and minerals are all well and good, but truthfully, most people use nutritional yeast for its flavor.

Nutritional yeast has a flavor that has been described as cheesy, nutty, savory, and “umami.” Just a tablespoon or two can add richness to soups, gravies, and other dishes, and larger amounts can make “cheese” sauces and eggless scrambles taste cheesy and eggy