About Nutritional yeast[]
Wikipedia Article About Nutritional yeast on Wikipedia
Nutritional yeast, similar to brewer's yeast, is a nutritional supplement popular with vegans and the health conscious who use it as an ingredient in recipes or simply as a condiment. It is a deactivated yeast, usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
It is an excellent source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins. It is also naturally low in fat and sodium. Some brands of nutritional yeast, though not all, also contain vitamin B12, which is rare in non-animal sources.
Nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy, creamy flavor which makes it popular as an ingredient in cheese substitutes. It is often used by vegans in place of Parmesan cheese. Another popular use is as a topping for popcorn. Some progressive movie theaters are beginning to offer it along with salt or cayenne pepper as popcorn condiments.
Substitutes:
- Brewer's yeast – inferior flavor, darker color
- Parmesan cheese – as a condiment; higher in fat, less nutritious
- Wheat germ – works well in baked goods or sprinkled on cereals
- Yeast extract