yeast energizer vs. nutrient

Several different items a packaged and sold as energizer and/or nutrient. Here is the info I got from my local shop. Nutrient is used proactively, to prevent problematic fermentations. Energizer is used after you become aware of a problematic fermentation. One is prevention, one is cure.

A recipe I found calls for both yeast Nutrient AND yeast Energizer.

I am now even more confused.

Julie, you are probably not alone. It would be best to consult your local retailer to determine what their yeast nutrient and yeast energizer packages contain, it tends to vary significantly depending on retailer/supplier. To illustrate/add to the confusion, yeast nutrient often refers to diammonium phosphate(a granular white powder), often times it is labeled as such or DAP or dibasic ammonium phosphate, it is a source of nitrogen. Other times packaged Yeast Nutrient can contain a proprietary Yeast Nutrient, for example, Fermaid K(beige in colour with white flecks) which contains a nitrogen source, yeast hulls, B-vitamins, trace minerals etc. This is where it gets confusing, proprietary yeast nutrients are sometimes packaged as yeast energizer, whereas, yeast energizer can also refer to yeast hulls(ghosts), yeast extract, thiamine to mention a few. What is the recipe you are making? I would say where it refers to yeast nutrient- use DAP and for yeast energizer - use one of the proprietary blends. Besides the previously stated uses they are often used in combination when an extremely nutrient deficient substrate exists. Ron