IPA: /ˈjiːstɪnəs/
KK: /ˈjistɪnəs/
The quality or state of having the characteristics of yeast, often related to fermentation or a light, airy texture in food.
The bread had a delightful yeastiness that made it fluffy and light.
Yeastiness is formed from "yeast" (from Old English *gist*, meaning a fermenting agent) and the suffix "-iness" (meaning the quality of being). The word describes the quality or state of being like yeast, particularly in terms of fermentation or leavening.
Think of 'yeast' as the fermenting agent that makes bread rise, and '-iness' indicates a quality. So, yeastiness refers to the quality of having yeast-like properties.