Which of the following popular kitchen ingredients is called the 'sugar eating fungus'?

Yeast

The correct answer is option 1. Yeast.

Yeast is often referred to as the 'sugar-eating fungus' because it is a type of fungus that plays a crucial role in fermentation, a process where sugars are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Here's a brief explanation:

1. Yeast:

Yeast is a single-celled fungus belonging to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae species. In the presence of sugars, yeast undergoes fermentation, a metabolic process that involves the breakdown of sugars to produce energy. During fermentation, yeast converts sugars (such as glucose or sucrose) into alcohol (ethanol) and carbon dioxide.

2. Fermentation:

In the context of baking, yeast is commonly used as a leavening agent. When yeast ferments sugars in the dough, it produces carbon dioxide gas. The produced carbon dioxide gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise and resulting in the light and fluffy texture of bread and other baked goods.

3. Sugar-Eating Fungus:

The term 'sugar-eating fungus' emphasizes yeast's ability to metabolize sugars as part of its role in fermentation. This characteristic of yeast is not only important in baking but also in the production of alcoholic beverages like beer and wine.

So, yeast is commonly known as the 'sugar-eating fungus' due to its involvement in breaking down sugars during fermentation processes.