The present invention provides a seasoning serving as an alternative to hydrolyzed animal proteins. The present invention provides a seasoning composition comprising free proline in an amount of 8.0% or more of the free amino acid composition, wherein the seasoning composition is not derived from collagen or gelatin a seasoning composition comprising free proline in an amount of 6.0% or more of the free amino acid composition and free glycine in an amount of 5.0% or more of the free amino acid composition, wherein the seasoning composition is not derived from collagen or gelatin a yeast extract comprising free proline in an amount of 8.0% or more of the free amino acid composition and a seasoning composition comprising a yeast extract, wherein the seasoning composition comprises free proline in an amount of 6.0% or more of the free amino acid composition and free glycine in an amount of 5.0% or more of the free amino acid composition, etc. The present invention also provides a yeast strain for use in preparing such a seasoning composition and such a yeast extract.
