A microscopic living fungus that is an essential ingredient in bread making and brewing. Some kinds of yeast are of great importance to humans. The yeast cell is oval in shape with a thin membrane. Under suitable moisture and food source, it reproduces asexually.
Types
Baker’s yeast is a universal name given to the strains of yeast that are used as leavening agent in baking bread. There are various forms of baker’s yeast differing in moisture content. Brewer’s yeast is a type of inactive yeast. It is formed during the making of beer. It ferments at a very low temperature. It is available in powdered form and is also blended with grounded meat. Nutritional yeast is grown on beet sugar and molasses, and is gluten free.
Uses
It is essentially used to make leavened better, beer, wine, cheese and whiskey. Yeast transforms sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Yeast is added to malted grains and fermented to produce alcohol. The type of yeast decides flavor of the beer produced. Yeast is now also used in genetic engineering to produce certain hormones and enzymes, used for medical practices. Beverages like root beer are also created using yeast. Nutritional yeast serves as a popular dietary supplement.
Nutritional Value
1. Yeast is not suitable for raw consumption. But once pasteurized, it is a host of several nutritional benefits.
2. Brewer’s yeast is a rich source of B vitamins, iron and protein.
3. Nutritional yeast contains essential 18 amino acids.
4. Yeast, any type is high in dietary fiber.
Did you know?
There are more than 1,500 species of yeast out of which very few are used for human consumption.
It is believed that early Romans discovered the use of dried yeast years before the discovery of yeast.