Yeast

A tiny but powerful fungus used to leaven dough or boost umami flavor, essential in vegan baking and plant-based cheese recipes.

• Origin: Naturally occurring microorganism used for thousands of years in baking and fermentation
• Cuisine: Global (especially baking and brewing)
• Pairings: Flour, sugar, water, salt, nutritional ingredients, garlic, nuts
• Uses:Active dry / instant yeast: breads, rolls, pizza dough. Nutritional yeast: vegan cheese sauces, savory seasoning, popcorn topping

Key Benefits:

• Rich in B-vitamins (especially B12 if fortified)
• Delivers a cheesy, nutty flavor in vegan dishes
• High in complete protein and low in fat

Don’t confuse baking yeast with nutritional yeast! One makes dough rise, the other adds savory flavor.