Processed
Yeast Extract
Yeast extract is a concentrated savoury paste or powder made by breaking down cultured yeast cells so their proteins, nucleotides, and free amino acids become available as umami seasoning. It underpins bouillon pastes, snack dusts, gravy mixes, and reduced-salt recipes where a roasted, meaty depth is wanted without animal stock. Autolysed and hydrolysed extracts differ in process intensity; both are intensely brown, sticky when pasty, and hygroscopic when powdered. Flavour ranges from mild bready yeastiness to dark, almost soy-sauce-like roast notes depending on roast level and residual salt.
Also known as: Yeast Extract, Yeast Extract Spread Style, Hefeextrakt, Yeast Extract
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Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 1.04 g
- Saturated Fat 0.48 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.19 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 20 mg
- Salt 0.05 g
- Total Carbohydrate 95.2 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 78.4 g
- Complex / starch 1.87 g
- Protein 1.87 g
- Water 5.31 g
- Energy 358 kcal
- Water 5.31 g
- Carbohydrates 95.2 g
- Sugars 78.4 g
- Monosaccharides 54.9 g
- Disaccharides 23.5 g
- Starch 1.87 g
- Amylose 0.47 g
- Amylopectin 1.4 g
- Digestible Starch 1.59 g
- Resistant Starch 0.19 g
- Protein 1.87 g
- Fat 1.04 g
- Saturated Fat 0.48 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.19 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
- Vitamins 25.4 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.01 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 0.08 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.04 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.02 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 0.2 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 2.3 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin E 0.11 mg
- Vitamin K 0.6 µg
- Minerals 254 mg
- Major Minerals 248 mg
- Trace Minerals 6.3 mg
- Salt 0.05 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.05 g
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.01 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.02 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 0.08 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.04 · vitamin-b6: 0.02 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 0.2 · vitamin-b9-folate: 2.3 · vitamin-e: 0.11 · vitamin-k: 0.6 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 19.97 · Potassium: 164 · Calcium: 64 · Iron: 0.9 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 5 ·
Refined processed sweeteners and additives are energy-dense carbohydrate with little else.
In the kitchen
Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Yeast Extract.
Usually avoid with
Often clash in flavour or tradition
History
Early commercial yeast extracts emerged from brewing by-product research as meat-free savoury pastes.
British households adopted yeast extract spreads as everyday breakfast and sandwich seasonings.
Food manufacturers scaled yeast extract powders for bouillon cubes and processed savoury foods.
Low-salt and clean-label extract grades expanded for snack and ready-meal reformulation.
Specialty roasted and inactive nutritional yeast extracts diversified plant-based flavour systems.