What is nutritional yeast? Nooch? Hippie Dust?
Many vegan recipes call for "nutritional yeast." What is this unappetizing sounding powder? And, why would one ever want to eat something which sounds like a terrible tropical infection?
Nutritional yeast ("nootch") is an inactivated form of yeast which is prized by the vegan community for (usually) being an important source of B12 in plant-based diets.*
Bon Appetit Magazin recently called it "nature's Cheeto Dust."
What does it taste like?
Some describe nootch as being "cheese-like," but this is not an accurate use of language. A more descriptive term is an "unami" texture. As the Spruce Eats describes unami, "that savory background note often referred to as the fifth taste, and similarly to salt, enhances the overall savoriness of a dish, although it contains almost no sodium."
This is a key ingredient in the Steel Cut Risotto featured on this blog, as well as an optional mix-in for the three-bean chili. We use it daily on our salads at both lunch and dinner. We also use it as a topper for our loaded veggie pizza. It received rave reviews.
Some fans of the stuff swear it is a great popcorn topper. I tried it and didn't see the appeal. I prefer it in recipes for those background notes so perfectly described by the Spruce Eats.
Pro Tips:
Best place to source nutritional yeast/nootch locally is Trader Joe's at $2.99 for a 4 oz. bag. It is on the top shelf by the spices and baked goods, although they sometimes move it around the aisle just to ensure us vegans get our exercise. Thanks, Joe.
On Amazon, the same bag of nootch can cost up to $16. It's worth it to stock up while at Trader Joes.
*Note: not all forms of nootch contain B12. Easy fix is to always read labels.
B12-fortified foods are an essential part of a vegan diet. The daily recommended intake is 2.4 mcg per day for adults, and higher levels during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The only proven way for vegans to reach these levels is by consuming B12-fortified foods or taking a vitamin B12 supplement. B12-fortified foods commonly include plant "milks", soy products, breakfast cereals, and yes, you guessed it, nutritional yeast.
Nutritional yeast ("nootch") is an inactivated form of yeast which is prized by the vegan community for (usually) being an important source of B12 in plant-based diets.*
Bon Appetit Magazin recently called it "nature's Cheeto Dust."
What does it taste like?
Some describe nootch as being "cheese-like," but this is not an accurate use of language. A more descriptive term is an "unami" texture. As the Spruce Eats describes unami, "that savory background note often referred to as the fifth taste, and similarly to salt, enhances the overall savoriness of a dish, although it contains almost no sodium."
This is a key ingredient in the Steel Cut Risotto featured on this blog, as well as an optional mix-in for the three-bean chili. We use it daily on our salads at both lunch and dinner. We also use it as a topper for our loaded veggie pizza. It received rave reviews.
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| Recently made two of these veggie pizzas for a band competition. I always volunteer to provide for students with food sensitivities/allergies. One student said she had a "moment" with this pizza. |
Some fans of the stuff swear it is a great popcorn topper. I tried it and didn't see the appeal. I prefer it in recipes for those background notes so perfectly described by the Spruce Eats.
Pro Tips:
Best place to source nutritional yeast/nootch locally is Trader Joe's at $2.99 for a 4 oz. bag. It is on the top shelf by the spices and baked goods, although they sometimes move it around the aisle just to ensure us vegans get our exercise. Thanks, Joe.
 |
| Ingredient list for Trader Joe's Nutritional Yeast. Note: based upon these ingredients, this is a fortified version of nootch. |
On Amazon, the same bag of nootch can cost up to $16. It's worth it to stock up while at Trader Joes.
*Note: not all forms of nootch contain B12. Easy fix is to always read labels.
B12-fortified foods are an essential part of a vegan diet. The daily recommended intake is 2.4 mcg per day for adults, and higher levels during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The only proven way for vegans to reach these levels is by consuming B12-fortified foods or taking a vitamin B12 supplement. B12-fortified foods commonly include plant "milks", soy products, breakfast cereals, and yes, you guessed it, nutritional yeast.
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