<P> Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, often a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is sold commercially as a food product . It is sold in the form of flakes or as a yellow powder and can be found in the bulk aisle of most natural food stores . It is popular with vegans and vegetarians and may be used as an ingredient in recipes or as a condiment . </P> <P> It is a significant source of some B - complex vitamins, and contains trace amounts of several other vitamins and minerals . Sometimes nutritional yeast is fortified with vitamin B . </P> <P> Nutritional yeast has a strong flavor that is described as nutty, cheesy, or creamy, which makes it popular as an ingredient in cheese substitutes . It is often used by vegans in place of cheese, for example in mashed and fried potatoes, in "scrambled" tofu, or as a topping for popcorn . </P> <P> In Australia, it is sometimes sold as "savoury yeast flakes". In New Zealand, it has long been known as Brufax . In the United States it is sometimes referred to as "hippie dust", "nooch" or "yeshi", an Amharic name meaning "for a thousand". Though "nutritional yeast" usually refers to commercial products, inadequately fed prisoners of war have used "home - grown" yeast to prevent vitamin deficiency . Nutritional yeast is different from yeast extract, which has a very strong flavour and comes in the form of a dark brown paste . </P>

Is nutritional yeast the same as nutritional yeast seasoning