brewer's yeast
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Definition
Noun: 1. A type of yeast used as a leavening agent: Brewer's yeast is a specific strain of the fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is used to ferment sugars, producing carbon dioxide and alcohol. It is a key ingredient in baking to make dough rise and in brewing to ferment beer. 2. The yeast sediment from beer fermentation: The term can also refer to the spent yeast cells that are a byproduct of the beer brewing process, often dried and used as a nutritional supplement.
Usage Examples
- The recipe calls for brewer's yeast to give the bread its light, airy texture.
- After the beer is fermented, the brewer's yeast settles at the bottom of the tank.
- Brewer's yeast is rich in B vitamins and is sometimes taken as a dietary supplement.
Advanced Usage
- Nutritional vs. Active Forms: It is important to distinguish between active brewer's yeast (used for leavening and fermentation) and inactive or nutritional brewer's yeast (a deactivated supplement). The inactive form will not cause dough to rise.
- For this sourdough, you need active brewer's yeast, not the nutritional kind found in health food stores.
Variants and Related Words
- Yeast (n): A general term for single-celled fungi used in fermentation. Brewer's yeast is a specific type of yeast.
- Baker's yeast (n): A closely related strain of specifically cultivated for baking. It is often considered interchangeable with brewer's yeast for leavening purposes.
- Nutritional yeast (n): Typically refers to deactivated yeast, often a strain of brewer's yeast, grown as a food product for its savory, cheesy flavor and nutrient content.
Synonyms
- Leaven
- Fermenting agent
- (scientific name)
Related Phrases
- Yeast extract: A food product made from yeast, such as brewer's yeast, often used as a spread or flavoring.
- Marmite is a popular yeast extract made from brewer's yeast.
Noun
- used as a leaven in baking and brewing
- yeast used in fermenting beer