You may have started to see the phrase "fermented protein" more often. &Fermenta, as the name suggests, is a protein with a link to fermentation too.
To be honest, though, "fermented protein" isn't a term with a clear definition. This article explains how the phrase is used, including how we think about it.
In this article
- How the phrase "fermented protein" is used
- How it relates to yeast protein
- Why protein is made using fermentation
"Fermented protein" has no fixed definition
"Whey protein" and "soy protein" include the name of the source, so you can tell straight away what they're made from.
"Fermented protein" describes how something is made rather than what it's made from. It's mostly used in two ways:
- Protein extracted from microorganisms grown by fermentation
- A protein source such as soy that has been fermented using microorganisms
Both say "fermented", but they're a little different. When you choose a product, the surest way to know what it's made from is to check the ingredients list rather than going by the name.
Fermented protein and yeast protein
&Fermenta uses the first type: protein taken from a microorganism. That microorganism is yeast, so the ingredients list says "yeast protein concentrate".
Yeast is a very familiar microorganism, used to make bread, sake, miso and soy sauce. Yeast protein is made by growing yeast in tanks through fermentation and then extracting the protein.
So yeast protein can be thought of as one kind of fermented protein.
| Term | What it describes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Whey protein | The source (milk) | Whey protein powders |
| Soy protein | The source (soybeans) | Soy protein powders |
| Yeast protein | The source (yeast) | &Fermenta |
| Fermented protein | The method (fermentation) | Yeast protein and others |
Why make protein with fermentation?
Making protein with microorganisms works differently from raising cows or growing beans in a field.
Grown in controlled tanks
Yeast is grown in tanks where conditions such as temperature are controlled, so it depends less on the weather or the season.
No milk or soy needed
Because the source is yeast, protein can be made without milk or soy. For people looking for something other than milk or soy protein, it's one more option. Some products are made on equipment shared with milk or soy products, though, so check the notes on the label if this matters to you.
An old technique used in a new way
Fermentation itself is familiar from the Japanese kitchen. It may help to think of this as using that same technique to make protein.
About &Fermenta
&Fermenta uses yeast protein concentrate made in Japan. "Fermenta" comes from fermentation, and the "&" is there because the formula combines yeast with other ingredients too.
The flavour is Rich Cacao, with 21.1g of protein per 35g serving. No milk or soy is used in the ingredients (it is made on equipment shared with products containing milk and soy).
For how yeast protein compares with whey and soy, see What Is Yeast Protein?
Summary
- "Fermented protein" describes a method and has no fixed definition
- Yeast protein, made from fermented and cultured yeast, is one kind of fermented protein
- When choosing, check the ingredients list rather than going by the name
You can see &Fermenta's ingredients and nutrition on the product page.
