If you’re a vegan or have been dabbling in vegan cooking, you may have come across the term “nooch” and wondered what it means. Nooch, also known as nutritional yeast, is a powerhouse ingredient in vegan cuisine. This versatile food product is cherished for its rich flavor, nutritional benefits, and ability to enhance a variety of vegan recipes. And quite honestly it just tastes SO good. I mean, who doesn’t love to add a cheesy flavor to their favourite dishes?
I can’t get enough of this key ingredient in my plant-based cooking. In my opinion, it makes reducing or removing dairy a whole lot easier! In this post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of nooch, including its taste, health benefits, storage tips, and how to use it in different dishes. We’ll also delve into its origins, compare it with other types of yeast. We will also give some recommend some of the best nutritional yeast brands on the market.
What Is The Meaning Of Nooch?
Nooch is a colloquial abbreviation for nutritional yeast, a term popularized among the vegan community. This ingredient is derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (often abbreviated as S. cerevisiae), a strain of yeast that’s also used in brewing beer and baking bread. However, unlike brewer’s yeast or baker’s yeast, which are active and used for fermentation, nutritional yeast is inactive. It’s grown specifically for culinary use, harvested, and then deactivated through a heating process.
What Is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that has been pasteurized and dried to form flakes or a fine powder. It’s made from the same strain of yeast as that used to make bread and beer. But with a distinct twist. During the manufacturing process, the yeast is grown on a sugar-rich medium like beet molasses or sugarcane. Then deactivated through heat. This process ensures that nooch doesn’t have the leavening properties of active yeast but instead boasts a rich, nutty flavor that adds a cheesy kick to vegan dishes.
Nooch is often enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritional powerhouse. It’s especially known for its high content of B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. These nutrients play crucial roles in energy production and overall health. Some varieties are also fortified with vitamin B-12, which is essential for vegans, as it’s typically found in animal products.
What Does Nooch In Vegan Cooking Taste Like?
Nooch has a savory flavor that’s often described as nutty or cheesy. This makes it a fantastic cheese replacement in a variety of plant-based recipes. Whether you’re sprinkling it on popcorn for a cheesy snack or mixing it into a vegan cheese sauce for a creamy mac and cheese, nooch adds a delicious addition to any plant-based diet. The flavor is so versatile that it can be used in everything from vegan sauces to tofu scramble recipes, providing a cheesy kick without the need for dairy.
One of the components that contribute to the unique nutritional yeast taste is glutamic acid, which is naturally occurring in nooch. This compound is responsible for the umami flavor, similar to that found in soy sauce, which enhances the overall savory profile of dishes. It’s a flavor that can truly transform your plant-based recipes, making them more satisfying and rich in taste.
Health Benefits of Nooch in Vegan Cooking
Nutritional yeast is not just a flavorful food seasoning; it’s also a nutritional powerhouse. It’s an excellent ingredient for anyone on a vegan diet, as it’s packed with a variety of B vitamins, including vitamin B-12, which is often difficult to obtain from plant-based foods. It’s also a good source of protein, providing all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. This makes nooch an ideal addition to a vegan diet, ensuring you get essential nutrients while enjoying delicious recipes.
In addition to its protein content, nooch is rich in trace minerals like zinc, selenium, and magnesium, and contains grams of fiber, which supports digestive health. Some varieties of nutritional yeast are fortified with folic acid and other B vitamins, making them a great nutritional supplement. For those with specific dietary needs, nooch is also free from gluten and soy, making it a good choice for people with celiac disease, soy allergies, or Crohn’s disease.
How to Use Nooch in Vegan Cooking
Nooch is incredibly versatile and can be used in countless ways to enhance the flavor and nutritional profile of your meals. There are so many different ways to use nutritional yeast, but my best recommendation is this. Use nooch anywhere you might add cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese. The flavour is incredible! It may take eating it a few times for your taste buds to become obsessed. But once they are you may just want to sprinkle it everywhere! Here are some popular uses:
- Sprinkle Nooch on Popcorn: For a cheesy, nutty flavour, sprinkle nooch on hot popcorn. Along with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of garlic powder. This simple vegan snack is both satisfying and nutritious.
- Vegan Cheese Sauce: Create a creamy vegan cheese sauce by blending nooch with soaked cashews, lemon juice, garlic, and a cup of water. This sauce is perfect for vegan mac and cheese or as a dip for tortilla chips.
- Tofu Scramble Recipe: Add a tablespoon of nutritional yeast to your tofu scramble for an extra burst of flavor. Nooch pairs beautifully with other seasonings like turmeric and black salt, giving your scramble an eggy, cheesy taste.
- Kale Chips: Make kale chips by tossing kale leaves in olive oil, nooch, and a bit of sea salt, then bake until crispy. The nooch gives the chips a delicious, cheesy flavor that’s irresistible.
- Vegan Sauces and Dressings: Nooch can be added to a variety of vegan sauces and dressings to enhance their flavor. Try adding it to a homemade Caesar dressing, vegan Alfredo sauce, or even as a topping for vegan pizza.
- Cheesy Snacks: Use nooch to make cheesy snacks like vegan nacho cheese or cheesy roasted sunflower seeds. Simply toss your favorite nuts or seeds with nooch, olive oil, and your favorite spices, then roast until golden.
- Soups and Stews: Stir tablespoons of nutritional yeast into vegetable stocks, soups, and stews to add depth and richness. The savory flavor of nooch complements the earthiness of whole grains, beans, and vegetables, making it a versatile ingredient in hearty vegan foods.
Comparing Nooch with Other Types of Yeast
It’s important to distinguish nooch from other types of yeast, such as brewer’s yeast and baker’s yeast. While all three are derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, their uses and nutritional profiles are different.
- Brewer’s Yeast: This type of yeast is used in brewing beer and has a bitter taste. It’s also a byproduct of beer production and is often used as a nutritional supplement, especially for its B vitamin content. However, it doesn’t have the same cheesy flavor as nooch.
- Baker’s Yeast: Commonly used in bread making, baker’s yeast is an active yeast that helps dough rise. Unlike nutritional yeast, it has leavening properties and is not used as a seasoning.
- Nutritional Yeast (nooch): Unlike brewer’s and baker’s yeast, nutritional yeast is inactive and used primarily as a flavor enhancer and nutritional supplement. Its nutty flavor and rich nutrient profile make it a popular choice in vegan cooking.
How Long Does Nooch Last?
When stored properly in an airtight container and kept in a cool, dark place, nutritional yeast can last up to two years. To preserve its flavor and nutritional value, keep it away from heat, light, and moisture. Storing it in the refrigerator is also an option, especially if you live in a humid climate.
Best Brands of Nutritional Yeast
As nutritional yeast gains popularity, more brands are coming out with new products and their own versions. Here are some popular brands that are known for their flavor and consistency:
- Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast Seasoning: A well-known brand that offers a fine powder form of nooch, perfect for sprinkling on everything from popcorn to pasta. This is my personal FAVE and I always buy it in the whole foods section of the grocery store.
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Large Flake Nutritional Yeast: Known for its large flakes and rich flavor, this brand is a favorite among health food stores.
- Foods Alive Nutritional Yeast Flakes: A great option for those looking for a gluten-free and non-GMO product with a nutty flavor.
- Red Star: Another popular brand that offers nutritional yeast in both flake and powder forms. It’s known for its high quality and consistent flavor.
Nutritional Content and Protein in Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast
Speaking of my favourite brand, let’s dive into the nutritional content! Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast is a standout product not only for its rich flavor but also for its impressive nutritional content. Each brand may be a little different, but this is the one I use.
Nutritional Content: Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast is fortified with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritional powerhouse. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key nutrients found in this product:
- B Vitamins: It’s an excellent source of B vitamins, including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), and pyridoxine (B6). These vitamins are crucial for energy production, brain function, and overall health. Additionally, Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast is fortified with vitamin B-12, a nutrient that’s typically found in animal products and is essential for vegans.
- Trace Minerals: This nutritional yeast is rich in trace minerals such as zinc, selenium, and copper, which are vital for immune function, antioxidant protection, and various metabolic processes.
- Fiber: It contains dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
- Protein: One of the most remarkable aspects of Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast is its high protein content. Just two tablespoons of nutritional yeast provide approximately 8 grams of protein. This protein is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body needs for building and repairing tissues. For those following a plant-based diet, this makes Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast an excellent ingredient for ensuring you meet your daily protein needs.
- Other Nutrients: The product is also a good source of iron, magnesium, and potassium, all of which contribute to maintaining healthy blood pressure, bone health, and overall well-being.
Nutritional Yeast Recipes and Tips
Incorporating nooch into your diet is easy, thanks to its versatility. Here are a few tips and ideas:
- Vegan Mac and Cheese: Nooch is the star ingredient in many vegan mac and cheese recipes. Its cheesy flavor makes it a perfect substitute for traditional parmesan cheese.
- Simple Vegan Meals: Add nooch to your favorite simple vegan dishes for an extra layer of flavor. Whether it’s sprinkled on roasted vegetables, mixed into mashed potatoes, or stirred into soups, nooch can transform any meal.
- Delicious Recipes: Use nooch in a variety of delicious recipes, from vegan lasagna to creamy soups. Its rich flavor enhances everything it touches.
- Save Extra Money: Buying nutritional yeast in bulk from grocery stores or health food stores can save you extra money in the long run. A little nooch goes a long way, so it’s worth investing in a larger quantity if you use it frequently.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our blog and allows us to continue providing high-quality content. We only recommend products that we genuinely love and believe in plant-based cooking, we hope this post has given you a better understanding of nooch and how to use it in your recipes.
Conclusion, Nooch In Vegan Cooking:
In conclusion, nooch is the vegan’s best friend, the ingredient that will elevate your dishes to new heights. Nutritional yeast has become a key ingredient in a lot of my vegan cheese recipes for its “cheesy” flavour. It’s the key to unlocking the full potential of your plant-based cooking. We can’t recommend it enough. Happy cooking!
