Yeast Extract

Other Name(s):

E 620; E 621; E 622; E 623; E 624; E 625; E 626; E 627; E 628; E 629; E 630; E 631; E 632; E 633; E 634; E 635; E 636; E 637; E 638; E 639; E 640; CAS# 8013-01-2; Baker’s Yeast Extract

Yeast Extract is derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, otherwise known as Baker’s yeast.

Is Yeast Extract Faithful to Nature?

Depends.

Yeast Extract is a natural ingredient which can be manufactured safely using strictly natural ingredients and methods.

Benefits: Why is Yeast Extract used?

Natural Flavour Enhancer

Yeast Extract is a naturally delicious flavour enhancer.

Low in sodium

Yeast Extract is lower in sodium than salt and MSG.

Skin Benefits

Yeast Extract can condition and leave the skin softer.

Vegan Alternative

Yeast Extract has a flavour that is similar to meat bouillon, the famous umami flavour, despite it containing no meat ingredients. This si because both contain very similar amino acids.

Learn more about Yeast Extract:

On the Shelf: Which Products Use Yeast Extract?

Yeast Extract is used in single ingredient products like nutritional yeast as well as a wide variety of savoury food products like stock cubes, pesto, crisps, crackers and much more. It is also beginning to see adoption in natural and organic skincare products like moisturisers, lotions, serums and masks.

Production: How is Yeast Extract Made?

Yeast Extract is made by first culturing the live yeast in a growth medium. Once a large enough colony has formed the yeast is then heated to around 70°C. At these temperatures the yeast begins to break down. The broken down (autolysed) yeast is then filtered out and the water solution is reduced leaving a powder.

Interesting Fact: Yeast Extract

Yeast extract is a natural ingredient produced from yeast without any additives. The very same yeast is used to make bread, beer and wine.

Glutamine frms part of yeast extract to about 5%, it is a compound that is part of every natural protein. The human body also produces glutamine in saliva and breast milk for example.