Nutritional yeast flakes: The "Vegan Gold" offers health benefits and culinary versatility
Nutritional yeast flakes have seen a surge in popularity across Western regions. This stomach-friendly garnish is predominantly used in vegan cuisines as a substitute for cheddar cheese, delivering a nutty flavor to dishes. Its powder-like texture serves a variety of culinary purposes, which are increasingly appreciated by chefs, including those using meat in their dishes.
6:03 AM EST, February 14, 2024
Are nutritional yeast flakes healthy?
Popularly known as the "vegan gold", nutritional yeast flakes consist of a group of inactive yeasts. But, what does this imply? The yeasts, once they multiply to the manufacturer's intended quantity, are made inactive via heat treatment, thus, they remain harmless to human health.
The nutritional yeast flakes that we're scrutinising today are a powerhouse of complete protein and dietary fiber. Beyond that, they're also a source of vitamins A and B, along with selenomethionine, a powerful antioxidant that guards our cells from damage induced by oxidative stress.
The use of nutritional yeast flakes in the kitchen
Nutritional yeast flakes are extremely versatile, catering to vegan and vegetarian cuisines and gaining the interest of chefs from other culinary domains. They can effectively replace cheese and salt (due to their detrimental effect on health), serve as garnishing for potato and pasta dishes, and even operate as an alternative thickener for soups and sauces.
Before purchasing nutritional yeast flakes, check for organic certification. Sadly, the price for this food product is a bit steep, mostly averaging at 15 dollars per pound. Still, wouldn't it be worth it to give these flakes a try? We would love to hear your thoughts!