A granular cooking aid (e.g. granulates, agglomerates or extrudates) comprising 70-99.95% (wt %) of a matrix material and 0.05-30% (wt %) of microbial capsules comprising an active. The microbial capsules are preferably yeast cells. The active can comprise a flavour and/or colour imparting substance and/or vitamin. The invention further relates to a process for making such granular cooking aid, as well as cubes or tablets prepared containing such granular cooking aid and a process for preparing such.