While “nooch” is a relatively new term, nutritional yeast has been around for decades. According to NPR, the product hit shelves in 1950 and became popular with hippies in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Behold, the power of rebranding. “Nooch,” the hot new ingredient that’s forecast to be popping up on more menus this year, is actually not new at all. It’s the slang, shortened term that’s gaining ...