Torula yeast is usually added in its inactive form to make otherwise boring foods taste like heaven!
In this article, we give you everything you need to know about Torula yeast.
The name remains
Previously, Torula was called Torula utilis until researchers figured out that the yeast species belonged to the genus Candida after the species went through several rounds of scientific classifications. However, despite this, the Torula name seems likely to have remained intact.
The use of yeast in food preparation has been around for centuries. Egyptian civilization has used yeast in the production of ale since 4000 BCE. Nowadays, it is used in the production of a large number of food products due to its fermentation capacity. Yeast is a unicellular fungus.
There are many species of yeast which are currently used in food production like Saccharomyces uvarum, Candida utilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces fragilis, etc. It is used in the production of beer and wine as well as in leavening or leavening bread. Other than that, yeast can be used as a dietary supplement and it is then referred to as nutritional yeast.
Yeast is grown on a suitable medium to a certain extent and then killed by dry heat. It is a rich source of protein and vitamins, especially B-complex. It is low in fat and sodium; it is also dairy and gluten free. One of the yeast species that has gained popularity recently is Torula yeast, and the following sections have given you an overview.
Torula yeast
Torula yeast comes from a species of yeast called Candida utilis (formerly known as Torula utilis ). The use of Torula yeast as a food began during and after World War II. This yeast is grown on wood liquor, usually a by-product of the paper industry, and is a rich source of xylose (a type of carbohydrate).
Then it is pasteurized to deactivate the organism and is then spray dried. This processed Torula yeast comes in the form of a fine, brownish-colored powder, with a slight yeast odor.
Torula Yeast in Foods
- Torula yeast contains more than 50% protein on its dry weight. Deactivated Torula yeast contains a large amount of free glutamate because deactivating yeast cells degrades its outer cell wall to some extent.
- It is also rich in B complex vitamins, chromium, selenium and other amino acids like lysine and threonine.
- It has an umami flavor, and is used as a meat substitute in various food products. It is used as a flavor enhancer in most ready-to-eat and instant foods.
- It is also added to various pet foods due to its meaty taste.
- It is the primary flavoring agent in some vegan foods to mimic the flavor of meat. It can also be added to sauces or sauces at home to give them a little oomph!
- Nowadays, many food manufacturers have started using this yeast instead of monosodium glutamate (MSG) because it enhances the flavor of food products and is completely natural.
Apps
Torula yeast has been used as a feed in aquaculture, when mixed with fish meal or bone meal. It increases the weight of the fish and the survival rate of the larvae. It is given as a nutritional supplement with pollen grains to honey bees in order to obtain better quality honey. Along with some other ingredients, it is used as a pollen substitute.
Torula yeast is used in the biological control of olive flies. It is either mixed with pheromones or given alone and is used to attract flies to certain types of special traps.
Torula yeast allergy
As it is cultivated on a medium that contains only wood liquor, this yeast is completely free of gluten and dairy products, therefore, it can be consumed without danger by people suffering from lactose intolerance and celiac disease.
However, individuals allergic to MSG show an allergic reaction to it as well. These allergic reactions can manifest themselves in mild cases as headaches, hives, swelling of the face and tongue, and rhinitis. In severe cases, they can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, throat swelling, and anaphylactic shock.
This type of reaction ideally appears within two hours of eating foods containing this yeast. As it is grown on a medium containing sulfite, people sensitive to the latter may develop an allergic reaction to Torula yeast.
Nutrition Info
Due to its high protein content and the presence of some important amino acids that cannot be produced by our body, yeast is an ideal dietary supplement that can provide vegans, vegetarians and individuals on a restricted diet. adequate nutrition.
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