What is yeast extract?

Yeast extract is a natural flavoring agent coming from fresh yeast. Yeast is a unicellular microorganism belonging to the fungus family, occurring in nature for millions of years.

It is a natural ingredient used to produce bread, wine or beer for centuries. First commercialized in the 1950’s, yeast extract is today enriching the taste of many food products, from soups to snacks. Like herbs and spices, it is used by food and flavor companies as well as restaurants as an aromatic ingredient to design more flavorful food and beverage applications.

In this article, we will discover what is yeast extract, and how it reshapes ordinary dishes into delicious meals. We also explain the natural process of extraction of the yeast cell content to obtain this food ingredient. And finally, we will see how this single food ingredient packed with proteins, vitamins, and umami taste is able to create so many flavors. Say goodbye to artificial additives and hello to a healthier way of eating!

Note: at Biospringer, we are specialized in yeast extracts for food products. However, yeast extract can also be used in other fields, such as animal feed, biotechnology, probiotics, cosmetics, and the medical industry. Today, we will only focus on yeast extract as a food ingredient.

Research and Development teams If you are an R&D professional seeking for technical information on this food product, you can download Biospringer white paper on yeast extract. 

Summary

What is yeast extract?
Yeast extract composition
How is yeast extract made?
What does yeast extract taste like?
What is yeast extract used for?
How to use yeast extract?
Who invented yeast extract?

What does Biospringer sell?
Other Frequently Asked Questions

What is yeast extract?

Check out our short video to
understand what is yeast extract.

Yeast extract is coming from fresh yeast. To make it simple, it is the inner content of yeast cells, without the cell walls. No synthetic or chemical ingredients are added during its production. It develops its unique attributes and organoleptic qualities throughout the manufacturing process. Enzymes cut yeast proteins into short peptides and amino acids to release tasty components.

The main benefit of yeast extract is its ability to intensify perception of existing flavors and complexify and enrich the taste of food products. This ingredient is well-known worldwide and is frequently used by food manufacturers to create healthier recipes. Indeed, it allows us to avoid harmful food additives and ingredients such as sodium, MSG, HVP, and others that may negatively impact our health.

Yeast extract composition

Yeast extract composition is different from the composition of yeast. About 60% of its composition is a blend of proteins and amino acids, bringing specific notes including umami.

Yeast extract is one of those strategic ingredients that can replace many unhealthy ingredients in a recipe. The food industry actively seeks such ingredients to maintain or achieve clean labeling on their food products.

Download our yeast extract white paper

Is yeast extract MSG?

Yeast extract is not MSG. MSG stands for monosodium glutamate. MSG is a highly concentrated and processed form of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is naturally present in various products, including tomatoes and mushrooms.

In a word, MSG is composed entirely of sodium glutamate. It is widely used in the food industry to enhance taste, but it is a synthetic ingredient.

In contrast, yeast extract naturally contains glutamate at a low percentage, approximately 5%, but also contains hundreds of other components such as proteins, peptides, amino acids, etc. Moreover, yeast extract is a natural origin ingredient. If you find articles conflating yeast extract and MSG, you can consider this connection to be false.

Is yeast extract natural?

Yeast extract has a natural origin, as it is derived from the process of fermentation. This makes it an invaluable ingredient for both food manufacturers and consumers, particularly due to its minimal processing. Here is the life cycle of Biospringer sustainable yeast-based ingredients:

Is yeast extract gluten free?

Yeast extracts are derived from baker’s yeast, which do not contain gluten as no gluten derivative is used during the process. Therefore, Biospringer’s products are gluten free, although few know the specifications of our products. However, gluten declaration or gluten-free status for yeast extracts depends on local regulations.

How is yeast extract made?

The production of yeast extract all starts from fresh yeast composed of a cell wall, cytoplasm (rich in nutrients such as proteins, free amino acids, vitamins, minerals) and nucleus.
Yeast extract production consists in three main steps.

Fermentation of the yeast

Step 1

First, the yeast strain is selected to meet the customer’s final use. This strain will then grow, nourished by a sugar source. To optimize the growth rate of the yeast, temperature and oxygen levels are closely monitored. The result of the fermentation is called “Yeast cream”, ready to undergo the next step: the Breakage.

Breakage of the yeast

Step 2

Then, the second step is called the breakage, or disruption. This step induces a solubilization of the cell content. We use a scientific term to describe this step: autolysis process, to produce ``autolyzed yeast extract``. It allows the selection of tasty components.

The separation

Step 3

Finally, the last step is called the separation. Centrifugation allows the separation of cell walls from tasty components and nutrients obtained during the breakage. This centrifugation ends with a flavorful solution where organoleptic properties and qualities of the products are all preserved.

Download our yeast extract white paper

What does yeast extract taste like?

As a consumer, if you are interested in trying yeast extract, you can find it in food spreads such as Marmite^® spread or Vegemite food spread, which are both made from brewer’s yeast.

Yeast extract can be found in various forms including liquid, paste, or powder, all of which are water-soluble. Food producers use yeast extract as a natural flavoring agent to develop various taste profiles.

Vegetal
aromatic

Meaty,
roasted

Salted

Toasted
cooked

Brothy notes

(chicken, beef, cheese)

Buttery
notes

What is
Umami ?

The most common taste associated with yeast extract is umami, which is one of the five primary tastes. Umami means “delicious” in Japanese. It describes a savory taste often found in broths or cooked meats. Our ingredients are naturally rich in umami. They usually work together with other ingredients in a recipe to improve or enhance the overall flavor profile.

What is yeast extract used for?

Yeast extract is not only used to improve taste, but also for its rich properties. In fact, it can naturally make a food formulation healthier (less salty, sweety or fatty), improve the nutritional profile of recipes or mask undesirable notes.
Here is a short summary to showcase yeast extract’s benefits in foods and beverages:

Yeast type*	Main benefit	Properties
Yeast extract	Taste improvement	Natural, Vegan, Kosher-certified, Halal certified, Non-GMO certified, Gluten free
Yeast extract	Salt & sodium reduction
Yeast extract	Sugar reduction
Yeast extract	Fat reduction
Yeast extract	Bring specific notes
Yeast extract	Undesirable notes masking
Yeast protein	Animal-free yeast protein	Natural, Vegan, Kosher-certified, Halal certified, Non-GMO certified

*The label at the back of your food product may vary depending on local regulations.

Download our yeast extract white paper

How to use yeast extract?

This versatile ingredient is incorporated into many everyday consumer products and is very easy to use.
Yeast extract can be added to a variety of dishes, such as:

Depending on the food application and the objective of the food producer, the dosage will vary.

Who invented
yeast extract?

Yeast extract was invented by the German scientist Justus von Liebig during the 19th century. He was the first person to recognize the potential of yeast extract as a substitute for meat flavoring in dishes.

Yeast extract as an aromatic base to improve the flavors grew, until its introduction to the market in the 1950s. Biospringer is officially the first company to commercialize it in France, in 1959, after the World War II. Indeed, there was a strong consumer interest for nutritional food. It was initially used in bouillon and later became a common ingredient for many recipes.

yeast extract invented by Justus von Liebig

What does Biospringer sell?

Biospringer is the world leading yeast extract manufacturer. Since more than 150 years, our R&D Center is developing the infinite potential of fermentation-based ingredients to develop tastier and healthier formulation. Thanks to our expertise and market knowledge, we have developed a wide range of products to meet our customers’expectations.

Product Range	Product Type*	Main Characteristics	Main Benefits	Main Applications
Springer^® Reveal	Dried Yeast Yeast extract	Flavor base and Flavor carrier	Taste Improvement	Processed Meat and Seafood Meat and Seafood Analogues Ready Meals Sauce & Dressing Snack and Seasoning Soup and Broth Sweet Products
Springer^® Umami	Dried Yeast Yeast extract	Umami	Taste Improvement Fat Reduction Salt Reduction Sugar Reduction	Dairy Dairy Analogues Processed Meat and Seafood Meat and Seafood Analogues Ready Meals Sauce & Dressing Snack and Seasoning Soup and Broth
Springer^® Cocoon	Yeast extract	Kokumi	Taste Improvement Fat Reduction	Dairy Dairy Analogues Processed Meat and Seafood Meat and Seafood Analogues Ready Meals Sauce & Dressing Snack and Seasoning Soup and Broth Sweet Products
Springer^® Signature	Dried Yeast Natural Flavor Flavor	Specific flavor notes	Taste Improvement	Dairy Dairy Analogues Processed Meat and Seafood Meat and Seafood Analogues Ready Meals Sauce & Dressing Snack and Seasoning Soup and Broth Sweet Products Partial cocoa powder replacement
Springer^® Mask	Dried Yeast Natural Flavor Flavor	Mask off-notes	Off-note Masking	Beverages Dairy Dairy Analogues Processed Meat and Seafood Meat and Seafood Analogues Ready Meals Sauce & Dressing Snack and Seasoning Soup and Broth Sweet Products
Springer^® Precursor	Yeast extract	Reacting yeast extracts for Maillard reaction	Flavor Improvement	Flavors
Springer^® Proteissimo	Yeast protein	Vegan Protein with a neutral taste	Protein Source	Beverages (protein shakes) Dairy Analogues Processed Meat and Seafood Meat and Seafood Analogues Ready Meals Sweet Products

*Label may vary depending on local regulations.

What is yeast extract?

Summary

What is yeast extract?