When baking, yeast is a very important ingredient when ensuring that your baked goods will rise the perfect amount. It is very versatile which means it can be used for bread, pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, bagels, pretzels, and more. Knowing if you can find this ingredient at your local Trader Joe’s will save you an unnecessary trip.
Does Trader Joes sell yeast? Trader Joes does in fact sell yeast. They sell active dry yeast, and nutritional yeast. However, their active dry yeast is seasonal and can only be found in the later parts of the year around November.
In this article we will talk about yeast, where to find it in Trader Joe’s, and possible alternatives to yeast that you can find at your local Trader Joe’s if they do not have it in stock.
Trader Joe’s And What They Offer
Trader Joe’s is a popular American based grocery store chain that is unique to say the least. They are mostly located in the east and west coast of America, but new stores in the northern and central areas are starting to appear.
Trader Joe’s is not your typical grocery store as everything that they have to offer is uniquely priced and branded under the grocery store’s name, Trader Joe’s.
At the front of each store you will be greeted with flowers, a large fresh produce section, a refrigerated section, a small baked goods section, a few aisle of frozen entrees and desserts, and a large selection of snacks and wine.
You will be able to find some necessities like toilet paper, vitamins and minerals, water, pet food, but the list is small. Trader Joe’s is mostly known for their unique take at entrees in the frozen and fresh sections of the store.
Seasonality is also a part of Trader Joe’s. You may notice that your favorite item may not be in stock, or removed completely. Trader Joe’s is always modifying their stores inventory based on consumer demands and popularity.
Yeast: What Is It?
Yeast is actually a living organism. It’s a single-celled living organism that is great when combined with baking as they thrive on sugar as a means of growth.
When you mix yeast within your dough, the yeast cells will digest the food and begin to release carbon dioxide (gas) which will cause your baked goods to expand since the gasses will not be able to escape the dough.
Yeast also adds a unique flavor when it mixes with flour and liquid which cannot be mimicked with anything else.
Availability of Yeast at Trader Joe’s
You will find two types of yeast at Trader Joe’s. The first being nutritional yeast, and the second one being active dry yeast. You will most likely be able to find nutritional yeast at your local Trader Joe’s at just about anytime of the year.
However, the active dry yeast that is used in baking is a seasonal item at Trader Joe’s so you will only be able to find it at specific times of the year.
Trader Joe’s active dry yeast can be found towards the later end of the year around October and well into the holiday months of December.
Many customers have stated that they were unable to find active dry yeast in February when they needed more which could indicate that this item is only available during the 4th quarter of the year.
To check the current price and availability of Trader Joe’s Nutritional Yeast, click here to view the listing on Amazon.
Location of Yeast Products within Trader Joe’s
You will be able to find both Trader Joe’s nutritional yeast as well as the active dry yeast in the baking section. This is the section where you will find flour, sugar, and a plethora of ingredients for all your baking needs.
The baking aisle can be found towards the far end of the store after the frozen food section, but right before the snacks and wine section.
Pricing and Packaging of Yeast
You can find the nutritional yeast for about $2.99. It comers in a plastic bag like container that contains a ziplock seal.
Active dry yeast come in small square packets in sets of 3. You will be able to find them for about $.99 per 3 packet bundle. Simply tear off the tops of these paper packets and pour them into your mixture.
Other Baking Ingredients
If your Trader Joe’s does is not currently stocking active dry yeast, you can try some alternatives that should be available in just about every Trader Joe’s location.
Baking Powder – Trader Joe’s carries their own brand of baking powder. Baking powder is a great way to help your baked foods rise and is a popular substitute for active dry yeast.
Egg Whites – You can find egg whites at Trader Joe’s in the refrigerated section of the store. Egg whites that are vigorously beaten will create air pockets. This will be used in place of yeast to help your baked food rise.
FAQ’s
Why is Trader Joe’s Active Dry Yeast Seasonal?
For the most part, Trader Joe’s sells seasonal items based on popularity and time of the year. Towards the later end of the year around October, November, and December, many people are baking at home for the holidays.
Selling Active dry yeast at peak season is the best way to make sure that it doesn’t sit on the shelves for along period of time and is sold quickly.
What’s the Difference Between Nutritional Yeast and Active Dry Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is the deactivated form of yeast. It is mainly used in vegan recipes, or as a general health product as it contains many nutritional benefits.
Active dry yeast is used in baking to help baked goods rise. Some examples are pizza dough, breads, cinnamon rolls, and more.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s does indeed sell yeast. You will be able to find it in two different forms. They carry active dry yeast which is the most commonly used yeast in baking, and you will be able to find nutritional yeast.
Active dry yeast is a seasonal item so you will need to contact your local Trader Joe’s to see if they currently have it on the shelves. Active dry yeast is usually sold around the later end of the year starting around October.
Nutritional yeast seems to be available at all times of the year, however it is mainly used as a cheese alternative and is sprinkled on top of many different types of foods.
