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

1. used as a leaven in baking and brewing
2. yeast used in fermenting beer