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Yeast

Yeast is a microorganism used to leaven dough and in fermentation processes.

Yeast — illustrative ingredient image

About Yeast

Yeast is a living or formerly active microorganism used in food production for fermentation and leavening. Baker’s yeast ferments sugars in dough, while brewing and winemaking yeasts ferment beverages. Inactive yeast and yeast extracts are used instead as flavouring or savoury ingredients and do not perform the same leavening role.

Active baker’s yeast produces carbon dioxide that expands dough and contributes fermented, bready aromas and flavour. The sensory result depends on the strain, fermentation time, dough, and baking process. Inactive yeast products may have a nutty, savoury, or concentrated yeast character without the gas-producing action of active yeast.

It is sold as fresh compressed yeast, active dry yeast, or instant dry yeast, usually appearing cream, beige, or pale tan. Fresh yeast is moist and crumbly; dried forms are granular, with instant yeast generally mixed directly into flour. Inactive flakes, powders, and extracts are distinct preparations.

Ingredient type
additive

Forms & related ingredients

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Where yeast appears

145 linked foods

Find foods to recognise by country and type. Recipes and products vary; these are recorded ingredient connections.

Showing 25–36 of 145

Desserts

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for yeast

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Yeast

English

obsolete: yeast pressed

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

yeast (fine, dry, active)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

yeast (fine, dry, inactive)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

yeast (fine, dry)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

yeast (fresh)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

yeast powder

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Yeast, dried

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Yeast nutrition & diet

Yeast nutritional value

Reference: Yeast, dried

Per 100 g of the edible portion of the stated reference food.

Calories
169kcal
Protein
35.6g
Carbs
3.5g
Fat
1.5g

Reference example for the named food and preparation, per 100 g edible portion. This is not a universal value for every recipe or brand; packaged products should be compared with their own label. CoFID 2021 food code 17-379. Carbohydrate follows the dataset’s available-carbohydrate convention. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/.

Portions & preparation

Identify whether the ingredient is baker’s yeast, brewer’s yeast, nutritional yeast, or another preparation before using a reference. Fresh compressed, active dry, instant, and inactive forms are not interchangeable. Consider the small amount used in dough or fermentation separately from the finished food and its added ingredients.

Compare the right form: Match a reference to the exact yeast type and physical form, active or inactive, fresh or dried, and the amount incorporated into the recipe.

Diet considerations

Yeast is a microorganism rather than a plant or animal ingredient, and its dietary role depends on the preparation. Fermentation may occur in cereal doughs, beverages, or other foods; the surrounding recipe determines compatibility. Added dairy, egg, meat, cereals, coatings, or processing aids can change the finished product.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically compatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically compatible
  • Pescatarian
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Vegetarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: UK Composition of Foods Integrated Dataset (CoFID), 2021 — Yeast, dried ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .