What is Yeast: A Guide to Yeast

Yeast is an incredibly important microbial organism with a long history of use in food production. Yeast has been used for thousands of years to bake, brew, and preserve food. Today, yeast is used to produce a wide variety of products including bread, beer, wine, cheese, and chocolate. Here, we take a deeper look at what yeast is, its history of use, and some of the many ways it is used in food production today.

What is Yeast?

Yeast is a single-celled fungus that reproduces by budding. It has been classified under the scientific name Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but is commonly referred to as “brewer’s” or “baker’s” yeast. Yeast is a type of fungi that is found in nature and is used in commercial food products due to its unique enzymatic activities. Upon being fermented, yeast will produce carbon dioxide and alcohol. Therefore, yeast is often used in alcoholic beverages and baked goods to give them their characteristic effervescence and flavor.

History of Yeast

The use of yeast can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where it was likely used to make bread. Since then, yeast has been used to make a variety of fermented products including beer, wine, and cheese. The process of using yeast to alcoholic beverages can be dated back to the 14th century. Since then, yeast has been an essential component in the production of beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.

Uses of Yeast

Yeast is used in a wide range of products to provide specific desired characteristics. Some of the most common uses of yeast are listed below:

-Baking: Yeast is used in all types of bread production, either for flavor or leavening. Yeast breaks down the sugars in bread dough, releasing carbon dioxide and alcohol and giving bread its characteristic texture.

-Brewing & Distilling: Yeast is integral in the production of beer, wine, whiskey, and other alcoholic beverages. By fermenting the sugars in the mash, yeast produces alcohol and flavor compounds that make these drinks unique.

-Cheesemaking: Certain types of cheese such as brie, camembert, and blue cheese use yeast to break down the fats and proteins of the cheese, creating characteristic flavor compounds.

-Fermentation: Yeast is also used in the production of other fermented foods such as kimchi and sauerkraut.

-Miscellaneous: Yeast is also used in a variety of other food items such as chocolate, soy sauce, and other condiments.

Conclusion

Yeast is an incredibly important organism with a long history of use in food production. Yeast is used in a variety of products to create flavor and texture, as well as in alcoholic beverages for flavor and alcohol content. Through fermentation, yeast has both embodied and sustained cultures for thousands of years and is sure to remain an integral part of the food industry for years to come.