Most people who are not vegans have no idea what nutritional yeast is, I was one of them before I am into vegan cooking. Some people thought it is the same kind of yeasts but with additional nutrients and same as the active dry yeast or baking yeast that are used in bread making and brewing, but they are totally different and cannot be used to substitute one another.
What is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is grown on enriched purified cane and beet molasses under carefully controlled conditions and has a cheesy flavour. Where else brewer yeast are from by-products of beer hop and has a bitter taste.
How is it manufactured?
Nutritional yeast is produced by culturing a yeast 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 killed (i.e. deactivated) with heat and then harvested, washed, dried and packaged. The species of yeast used is often a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Because it is deactivated yeast, it does not grow like baking yeast. No animals are harmed in this process because yeasts are members of the fungi family. Thus, it is suitable for vegan and vegetarian. It is sold commercially as a food product in the form of yellow flakes or powder and can be found at most organic and health stores. I used the flakes, and if you are using the powder, you will need only about half as much as the flakes.
Why is it so good?
Most people are not getting enough vitamin B12 and that deficiency can cause serious health problems e.g. anaemia, nervous system damage, heart disease or pregnancy complications, because vitamin B12 helps make your DNA and your red blood. Vitamin B12 are usually found in meat, milk, cheese, and eggs which vegans do not eat. Thus, nutritional yeast with the addition of vitamin B12, is an ideal vegetarian and vegan support formula.
Nutritional yeast products do not have any added monosodium glutamate and is an excellent source of protein, containing 18 essential amino acid and 15 minerals. It is rich in B-complex vitamins including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), phosphorus, B9 (folic acid) and naturally occurring B12, not fortified. The rich source of vitamin B complex and particularly chromium is important to regulate blood sugar-beneficial for diabetics. Nutritional yeast helps in managing stress levels, reproduction of red blood cells maintaining a good metabolic rate, prevents cancer of the pancreas and ensures a healthy skin.
How to use?
It is popular with vegans and vegetarians as ingredient in recipes or as a condiment. Nutritional yeast has an appealing cheese flavour that make a great cheese replacement in pasta, pizza, popcorn and bread. Sprinkle on cereal, salad, tofu, rice and popcorn. Add to juice, sauce, soup and casserole or use it to make sandwich spreads. I used this to make vegan cheese too. Click here for the recipes that I use nutritional yeast to replace diary cheese, will update more recipes soon, stay tuned! Recently I tried putting 1 tablespoon of this into my Hearty Brown Rice Porridge recipe, I'm totally blown off that this makes it taste like 'chicken' porridge. Try it out and let me how it goes for you! *GRIN*
How to store?
Some packaging indicate to store in cool dry place. I prefer to keep it in fridge to maintain freshness. If the nutritional yeast package is stored in fridge at the retail store, then ensure that you keep it in your fridge when you are home.
Where to buy (In Singapore, Malaysia and Internationally)?
For international readers, simply click here for the list of some brands of Nutritional Yeast available at Amazon or iHerb.
TOP's brand in Singapore and Meet Natural brand in Malaysia are my preferred choices, it is organic compared to Bob’s Red Mill Brand which is non-organic, and both are also the cheapest of all.
TOP's brand in Singapore and Meet Natural brand in Malaysia are my preferred choices, it is organic compared to Bob’s Red Mill Brand which is non-organic, and both are also the cheapest of all.
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| TOP'S Brand - Organic Nutritional Yeast |
Product from USA
100gm
Organic
Organic
Where to buy?
In Singapore
☼ Organic Paradise
Location: Cuppage Plaza #01-25 Singapore 228796
☼ Can also be found at various organic & health stores.
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| Radiant Brand - Nutritional Yeast |
Product from USA
100gm
Organic
Where to buy?
In Singapore
☼ SGD9.50
Location: Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre, Singapore
In Malaysia
☼ RM13.90 (Equivalent to SGD5.60)
Available various major supermarkets and organic stores in Malaysia, click here for the list.
Available various major supermarkets and organic stores in Malaysia, click here for the list.
Location: Various in Malaysia.
In Malaysia & International
☼ RM13.90
 |
| Meet Natural Brand - Nutritional Yeast |
100gm
Organic
Available at Zenxin Agri-Organic Food
In Malaysia
☼ RM9.40 (Equivalent to SGD3.80) ☆Best Buy!
Location: Various in Malaysia.
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| Bob’s Red Mill Brand - Nutritional Yeast |
Product from: Not specified on packaging
At 226g
Non-organic
At 226g
Non-organic
Where to buy?
In Singapore
☼ SGD10.50 (Equivalent to $4.60 per 100g)
Online
♥ Learning a new cuisine is actually not that challenging, it is the process of understanding & finding the ingredients in your area which is tedious and time-consuming. Thus, I am most willing to share with readers (Singapore, Malaysia and international) where I get the most value-for-money ingredients that are slightly uncommon. See more of the great, affordable & healthy stuff I am always get.
