Noochy, also known as nutritional yeast, has become a popular vegan ingredient and condiment. But what exactly is it made of? Here we will explore the ingredients and nutritional profile of noochy.
What is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is sold in flakes or powder form. It has a delicious cheesy, nutty, and savory flavor profile that makes it a popular dairy-free seasoning. Nutritional yeast is grown on molasses and then harvested, washed, and dried with heat to deactivate it. This process leaves behind the yeast’s probiotics and nutrients like B vitamins and protein.
Some key facts about nutritional yeast:
- It is inactive so it will not make foods rise or ferment.
- The flakes or powder have a yellow golden color.
- The taste is described as cheesy, savory, and umami.
- Nutritional yeast is a complete protein containing all 9 essential amino acids.
- It is naturally gluten-free.
Nutritional yeast has become popular with vegans and vegetarians looking to add flavor and nutrients to their diets without animal products. The yeast flakes can be sprinkled on popcorn, pasta, vegetables, avocado toast, and more. Now let’s look closer at the ingredients that make up this versatile seasoning.
Nutritional Yeast Ingredients
Nutritional yeast consists of just one single ingredient – yeast. However, there are a few different strains of yeast used to produce nutritional yeast. Here are the most common yeast strains used:
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer’s yeast, is the most common yeast strain used to make nutritional yeast. Brewer’s yeast is a species of yeast used in baking and fermenting. It’s what helps bread rise and convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide during the brewing process.
When S. cerevisiae yeast is used to make nutritional yeast, it is grown on molasses. The yeast feeds on the sugars in the molasses. This growing process encourages the production of B vitamins like vitamin B12.
Torula
Torula yeast, also known as Candida utilis, is another yeast strain cultivated to make nutritional yeast. Torula yeast produces the nutrients found in nutritional yeast but has a milder flavor profile.
K. lactis
Kluyveromyces lactis is a dairy-free yeast species also used to produce nutritional yeast. Like the other yeast strains, K. lactis is grown on a medium of sugar molasses to encourage nutrient production before it is harvested and dried.
So in summary, the main ingredient in nutritional yeast is yeast – most commonly from brewer’s yeast, torula yeast, or K. lactis strains. Manufacturers may use just one or a blend of these yeast types to produce their nooch.
Nutritional Profile
Now let’s look at why nutritional yeast is considered such a nutritious food. Here is an overview of the nutrients found in a 2 tablespoon serving of nutritional yeast flakes (based on Bragg brand):
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 60 | 3% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Carbs | 6g | 2% |
| Fiber | 4g | 14% |
| Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.4mcg | 100% |
| Niacin | 40mg | 250% |
| Riboflavin | 2.2mg | 170% |
| Thiamin | 3.4mg | 280% |
| Folate | 240mcg DFE | 60% |
| Zinc | 1mg | 9% |
As you can see, just a small serving of nutritional yeast delivers a powerhouse dose of nutrients, especially B vitamins.
Some key takeaways about the nutritional profile:
- High in vitamin B12 – important for vegans/vegetarians.
- Good source of protein and fiber.
- Negligible fat and carbs.
- Provides over 100% DV for many B vitamins.
- Also contains some zinc, magnesium, and iron.
The vitamins and minerals in nutritional yeast offer a big nutritional payoff for the amount of calories. No wonder it’s considered a superfood!
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the make-up and origins of nutritional yeast:
Is nutritional yeast the same as brewer’s yeast?
No, nutritional yeast and brewer’s yeast are not exactly the same thing. Brewer’s yeast refers to the raw yeast strains used to brew beer before they are deactivated. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the main brewer’s yeast that is then harvested and washed to produce nutritional yeast.
Is nutritional yeast a fungus?
No, nutritional yeast is not a fungus. It is made from single-celled microorganisms called yeasts. Yeasts are part of the fungi kingdom, but are not the same as the mushroom-type fungi we usually think of.
Does nutritional yeast go bad?
Properly stored nutritional yeast can last 1-2 years before going bad. Signs your nutritional yeast has expired include color changes and a loss of flavor. An opened package will go bad more quickly than an unopened one. Keep nutritional yeast in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to extend its shelf life.
Is nutritional yeast raw or heat-treated?
Nutritional yeast is heat-treated. The yeast must be heated enough to deactivate it while preserving the nutrients. Some brands may label their yeast as “raw” if it’s heated to lower temperatures like 110°F rather than 150°F. But all nutritional yeast is heated at some point during production.
Is nutritional yeast gluten-free?
Yes, nutritional yeast is naturally gluten-free. Since it contains only yeast grown on molasses, it does not contain any gluten. Nutritional yeast grown on a wheat-based medium would not be gluten-free, but all major brands use molasses.
Is nutritional yeast vegan?
Nutritional yeast is considered vegan and animal product-free. There are no animal-derived ingredients used in the production of nutritional yeast. Some vegans avoid brands that use vitamin B12 sourced from bacteria, but most consider nutritional yeast that is vitamin B12-fortified to be vegan.
Conclusion
Nutritional yeast is produced by cultivating yeast strains like S. cerevisiae and Candida utilis on sugary mediums. This growing process encourages the yeast to produce a wealth of B vitamins and minerals. After harvesting and washing, the yeast is heat-treated to deactivate it while preserving nutrition. The result is the flaky, savory-cheesy seasoning we know as nutritional yeast. With its excellent nutrition profile and versatility, it’s no wonder that nooch is a staple ingredient for many vegans, vegetarians, and health-conscious eaters.