Instead of Parmesan: the unique qualities of nutritional yeast are revealed

Nutritional yeast is the yeast that is in an inactive state. Therefore, it is not used to make bread, kombucha, or beer.

Their texture resembles small flakes, the aroma and taste of which is very similar to Parmesan cheese. Nutritional yeast is most often used in vegan recipes. They have become fashionable due to their nutritional properties, OBOZREVATEL reports with the assistance of lacocinasana.com.

Nutritional yeast, also known as nooch, is a significant source of protein. In addition to essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, they are sometimes enriched with B vitamins, including B12. Consequently, vegetarians often use them in their dishes. However, this contribution is not enough to achieve the recommended daily dose.

It is also worth noting that nutritional yeast is not brewer's yeast, it has a different production process. The former is made so that it can be consumed as a food product, while the latter is a residue of brewing.

Advantages

Brewer's yeast contains many essential amino acids, which indicates its high biological value. They contain 14 minerals and 17 vitamins, among which phosphorus, magnesium, and chromium stand out, as well as beta-glucan 1,3, trehalose, glutathione, and mannan. On the other hand, most manufacturers enrich them with vitamin B12.

They are also rich in fiber, which makes them a source of nutrients. This is another advantage over Parmesan cheese, the taste of which they so closely resemble.

Nutritional yeast is also a very useful ingredient for treating pathologies and achieving optimal health:

Antibacterial and antifungal properties

Their use is recommended for urinary and vaginal infections, acne, diarrhea, eating disorders, stimulation of the immune system, body weakness, anorexia, bulimia, etc.

Improving athletic performance

A study conducted by the British journal Nutrition found that nutritional yeast serves as an energy food, helps improve athletic performance, and boosts immunity.

Protein richness

Yeast needs the same substances as humans to sustain life, but it feeds almost exclusively on sugar. This forces them to produce protein and amino acids through chemical reactions. Therefore, nutritional yeast is 71% high-quality protein. This is very beneficial for athletes or people who need a low-calorie diet because they are low in fat and carbohydrates.

Recipe for fermented vegan cheese

Soak 100 grams of macadamia nuts with lactic acid starter for homemade yogurt for at least 8 hours. The next day, use a food processor to grind the nuts with 3 large tablespoons of nutritional yeast, seasonings, and salt to taste. Then transfer to a cotton cloth over a strainer and let the liquid drain until you have a compact, curd-like mass. Enjoy!

How to use nutritional yeast in recipes

Unlike brewer's yeast, nutritional yeast does not have a bitter taste. In fact, they are very appetizing. The description of the flavor varies depending on the dish to which it was added, but most agree that it has a similarity to cheese, nuts, or meat.

Imagine that you can use nutritional yeast in the same way as Parmesan cheese. It can be added to sauces, soups, risotto, salads, vegetables, or cereals. It is the perfect seasoning for any culinary recipe.