Sunday, September 09, 2007

A Year's Worth of Yeast

Nutritional Yeast, that is.

A year ago last August I decided to forgo the tons of tiny plastic shaker bottles of Nutritional Yeast I was accumulating and opted for a 6 lb. bucket of my most favorite ingredient. Lots of people laughed, wondering how I'd ever use it all or keep it fresh.

As you can see below, using it all? totally not a problem. hehe. As for keeping it fresh, since it's already in a opaque, air-tight bucket, safe from light and moisture...and we store it in the pantry where it's cool and dry...it stays fresh no problem. From veganessentials.com (I love this site) I ordered it for just under $50. Fifty bucks for a year's worth? I was fine with that. Recently, I reordered a five lb. bag from bulkfoods.com, got the same Red Star Nutritional Yeast for just $27.30. Theirs comes in a bag but no worries, I just refilled my bucket!

While I still order all kinds of things from veganessentials.com as much as possible, I'm thrilled to find my most beloved NY for twenty bucks cheaper AND I won't start accumulating 6 lb buckets!

If you, too are a fan of nutritional yeast, always make sure you're buying the Red Star brand as it's the only one (that i know of, anyway) totally fortified with all the B vitamins that make this tasty addition a healthy powerhouse. Want more info? Check out Red Star's website and their Nutritional Yeast division.

14 comments:

Jul said...

Alas, my little Red Star shaker is almost empty, and there are no more contraband bulk bags in my pantry to refill it with. Too bad Red Star isn't sold in Switzerland! I'll have to re-add it to my list of stuff visitors need to bring me from the US. Good thing you're appreciating your easy access to it. :)

Vegan_Noodle said...

Wow, I didn't realize they were the only ones to fully fortify. I usually get mine from the bulk bins at whole foods...I will have to check the label today. Hopefully I haven't been missing out on all that nutrition. Doh!

VeganLinda said...

We buy the same bulk 6lb bucket through our local coop (I'll have to check on the price because the price you mention sounds really good), but it lasts us about six months (family of four). It is great and I love to be able to share it with people new to NY. I would never buy small amounts again...it keeps well and we always find uses for the buckets.

Anonymous said...

I am a nutritional yeast addict! I swear, everything is better with a little nutritional yeast on it, right?! Thanks for the tip on the price through bulk foods--I am totally going to look into that...I currently get it in bulk from the co-op, but I have to buy it so frequently, and it sounds like the on-line price might be a little better!

Courtney

Anonymous said...

I just bought some at the health food store from the bulk container and was shocked at the price when I got to the counter. 1.24 lbs @ 8.29/lb turned out to be $10.28. I'll probably go through this in 3 months so, like you, I can easily use up 5 lbs. I'm kicking myself now! $27 sounds like a fabulous deal. Plus, there are some other things I've been eyeing at bulkfoods.com. Thanks for sharing!

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

I buy this from a bulk bin at my local co-op, but a giant tub sure is tempting!

yeaaahtoast said...

I really like nutritional yeast, but do you know if it adds to the yeasty-ness of your body (down there)? After going through 6 lbs, i'm sure you would have noticed is something was awry!

Jillian of Bitchin' Vegan Kitchen said...

I buy the Kal brand which also seems to be "vegetarian support formula" fortified. I don't think I've even see the Red Star brand in NY. I wonder if there is a taste difference between the two.

scottishvegan said...

That's a lot of NY...I think it would take me at least 5 years to get through that!!

Anonymous said...

to yeaaahtoast-
Everything I've heard says that nooch (nutritional yeast) is killed with heat prior to packaging for sale. There shouldn't be any issues with any bodily cultures.

Megan said...

yeaaahtoast-

I'm a nurse-midwife/nurse-practitioner. The yeast "down there" is a specific variety called candida. It feeds--like most yeasts--on sugar. Nooch doesn't have sugar in it and isn't the same type of yeast at all, so there's no worry. And from a purely anecdotal standpoint, I eat gobs of nooch and have never had a problem!

-Midwife Megan

kdgactress said...

HI I'm new to vegan eating courtesy of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn! I am hunting nutritional yeast and am interested in keeping up with your comments. The Red Star at bulkfoods.com sounds like a plan. Our local baker sells those airtight white buckets from his supplies for about $1. I may call to get on his list - they go fast - and order the NY online. Sounds great. Thanks for your input, y'all!

kwokshsee said...

i guess the MAJOR question is: How do you know bulkfoods.com is selling you nutritional yeast from Red Star, not some cheap yeast or even yeast-like yellowish powder they source from some under-equipped/unhygienic garage/kitchen???

I dun mean to scare you or spoil your fun or defame bulkfoods.com But i ask it sincerely, how can you know the source is reliable? I am not from the US, is it against the US Laws to make false claim? Do they clearly label the bag that it contains only nutritional yeast manufactured by the Red Star? If the answers to both questions are yes, i guess u can trust it :)

Don't Get Mad, Get Vegan! said...

I believe that the bag did have a sticker on it, claiming to be Red Star with the nutritional info on it. Mislabeling is illegal when reselling, but I don't know how well that is policed here in the states. I do know they are highly rated with the Better Business Bureau so there have not been any real registered complaints. I started buying my yeast from a local store that sells in bulk once I moved. I'd much prefer to support small, local businesses (they're bins are also labeled as RSNY), but when I posted this lived at least 45 minutes away from the one place I could have bought Nutritional Yeast at all and then only in the expensive shaker bottles. Your question is totally valid and not scary, just smart! :)