Tag: Inactive yeast

Made from a nutrient-rich brewer's yeast, Vegemite is often mistaken for a product containing live, active yeast cultures, but the iconic Australian spread is actually made with inactive, heat-treated yeast extract. This crucial manufacturing step, known as autolysis, is what fundamentally changes its properties and makes it incapable of causing fermentation.

According to Bragg's official website, their nutritional yeast can be stored in a cool, dark place, and will last for up to two years, meaning it does not strictly need to be refrigerated. However, there are factors that influence storage and can affect its quality over time. Proper storage is key to preserving its nutty, cheesy flavor and potent B-vitamin content.

Over 1,500 species of yeast have been identified, but only a few are widely used in food production. Among them, inactive yeast stands out as a versatile ingredient used for its nutritional value and functional properties rather than for leavening. This deactivated form of yeast is a staple in various industries, from food manufacturing to dietary supplements.

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated form of the fungus *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*, grown specifically as a food product, unlike the active, live yeasts used for baking or brewing. The answer to whether it fits a yeast-free diet depends largely on the specific reason for that diet.

Nutritional yeast is a culinary and nutritional powerhouse known for its B vitamins and cheesy flavor. However, a common point of confusion is whether this deactivated yeast offers the same probiotic benefits as live, active cultures. Nutritional yeast is not a probiotic because the live yeast cells are killed during processing.

Sales of nutritional yeast in the US increased 20% between 2019 and 2020, as reported by the New York Times. This savory, cheese-like condiment, often called 'nooch,' has a simple but powerful secret: the main ingredient in nutritional yeast is a specific strain of inactive fungus called *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*.

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. This means that, despite their common origin from yeast, **yeast extract** is fundamentally different, as it is derived from inactive yeast cells, not living cultures.

Unlike active yeasts used for baking or brewing, nutritional yeast is heat-treated to deactivate it before packaging. This process makes it perfectly safe to consume without cooking, which provides a direct answer to the question: **should you eat nutritional yeast raw?**