# yeast as a flavoring agent?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeast-as-a-flavoring-agent/628244
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [July 14, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeast-as-a-flavoring-agent/628244 "2012-07-14T19:50:14Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)
#### Post date: [July 14, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeast-as-a-flavoring-agent/628244/1 "2012-07-14T19:50:14Z")
I’m still trying to create a less-salty spice blend similar to the “burgundy pepper” i recently bought. I now have [burgundy wine powder](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=657069) (thanks to **zombywoof** for locating a vendor).
One of the other peculiar ingredients is yeast. So can I just get a packet of the ubiquitous [Fleischmann’s yeast](http://www.breadworld.com/products.aspx) and grind it up? Or are there other varieties of yeast that are better suited for use as a flavor additive?
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### Author:  [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)
#### Post date: [July 14, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeast-as-a-flavoring-agent/628244/2 "2012-07-14T20:39:43Z")
[Nutritional yeast](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutritional_yeast) is often used as a flavor addition. I like it on popcorn and such in place of salt and butter. It doesn’t taste like them, but it still tastes good to me.
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### Author:  [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)
#### Post date: [July 14, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeast-as-a-flavoring-agent/628244/3 "2012-07-14T20:51:05Z")
Right, you want to use specifically nutritional yeast for this purpose. Most people perceive it as having sort of a ‘cheesy’ flavor. If I remember right, all yeast is the same species, but the flavor can vary depending on the substrate that it is grown on. I think the tasty stuff is grown on molasses.
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### Author:  [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeast-as-a-flavoring-agent/628244/4 "2012-07-15T04:51:57Z")
Definitely the nutritional yeast. You can find it at “natural foods” stores. They’ll often stock it in huge cans in the vitamin/supplement section, but you should also be able to find smaller quantities in the dry foods department - our local Whole Foods has it over by the spices. You’re not going to want to taste a mouthful of the Fleischman’s active dry yeast, believe me!
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### Author:  [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)
#### Post date: [July 15, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeast-as-a-flavoring-agent/628244/5 "2012-07-15T17:00:07Z")
Thanks, all, for preventing me from screwing this up. 😃 I will look for N-yeast next time I’m at Whole Foods.
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### Author:  [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)
#### Post date: [July 16, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeast-as-a-flavoring-agent/628244/6 "2012-07-16T02:35:10Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#):
>
> Thanks, all, for preventing me from screwing this up. 😃 I will look for N-yeast next time I’m at Whole Foods.
Check the bulk bins (rice, beans, etc.) section as well; I just bought some at Whole Foods yesterday and it was there rather than by the spices.