Vegan Ingredients Directory

Agar-agar is a natural vegetable gelatin extracted from red algae (Rhodophyta). 100% plant-based.

Agave syrup is produced from the filtered sap of the blue agave plant (Agave tequilana).

Albumin refers to globular proteins, most commonly derived from chicken egg whites (ovalbumin) or blood serum (bovine serum albumin).

Almonds are nutrient-dense tree nuts rich in vitamin E, dietary fiber, magnesium, and plant protein. 100% plant-based.

Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apple juice using yeast and acetobacter bacteria.

Aquafaba is the viscous liquid obtained from cooking chickpeas or draining canned chickpeas. Its unique starch-protein matrix mimics egg whites.

Avocados are whole botanical fruits rich in heart-healthy oleic acid monounsaturated fats, potassium, and soluble fiber. 100% natural plant food.

While the core ingredients of beer (water, malted barley/wheat, hops, and yeast) are 100% plant- and fungal-derived, some traditional breweries clarify beer using animal-derived fining agents like isinglass (fish bladder collagen) or gelatin. Additionally, milk stouts and pastry sours contain lactose (milk sugar).

Beeswax is a biological wax secreted by worker honeybees from eight wax-secreting abdominal glands to construct the hexagonal honeycomb cells of their hive. Harvesting beeswax deprives bee colonies of their architectural habitat and food storage infrastructure, classifying it as strictly non-vegan.

Bone char is a porous, black, granular material produced by charring cattle bones at high temperatures (over 700°C / 1292°F). It is commercially used as a decolourising filter in traditional cane sugar refining and is strictly not vegan.

Traditional breads are fundamentally vegan, requiring only flour, water, yeast, and salt. However, enriched or ultra-processed commercial sliced loaves often incorporate non-vegan ingredients such as milk solids, whey, butter, honey, eggs, or dough conditioners like L-cysteine (E920) and animal-derived mono- and diglycerides (E471).

Brown rice syrup is made by fermenting cooked brown rice with enzymes to break down starches into easily digestible sugars.

Butter is made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. Ghee is clarified butter fat.

Carmine is a vibrant red dye extracted from crushed female cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus). Thousands of insects are killed to produce small amounts of dye.

Carrageenan is a family of natural linear sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red edible seaweeds (Rhodophyta). 100% plant/marine-algae derived.

Casein is the primary protein found in mammalian milk (accounting for ~80% of cow's milk protein).

Cashews are the seeds of the cashew apple tree. 100% plant-based and the most versatile whole-food base for dairy-free cheeses, creams, and sauces.

Chia seeds are edible seeds from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, rich in omega-3 ALA, fiber, and complete protein.

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) are nutrient-packed annual legumes, providing protein, fiber, and producing aquafaba cooking liquid.

Despite having 'butter' in its name, cocoa butter is a 100% plant-based fat naturally pressed from whole roasted cacao beans (Theobroma cacao). It contains zero dairy or animal derivatives.

Coconut cream is the concentrated, chilled top layer extracted from mature coconut meat with higher fat content (~20-25%).

Coconut milk is made from the grated pulp of mature coconuts (Cocos nucifera).

Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts.

Curcumin (E100) is the principal active yellow polyphenol extracted directly from the rhizomes of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). 100% natural vegan colorant.

Dairy milk is produced by lactating cows, goats, sheep, or buffalo for their offspring.

High-quality dark chocolate contains only cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar, and vanilla. However, some manufacturers add milk fat, butter oil, or whey.

Edamame are young, green whole soybeans harvested before ripening. 100% natural plant food with ~18.5g complete protein per cooked cup.

Eggs are laid by female birds (principally domestic chickens). Veganism rejects the commodification of reproductive animal bodies.

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is a nutrient-dense edible plant seed high in ALA omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber.

Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones of cows or pigs with water. It is strictly an animal product.

Ghee is clarified butter made by simmering cow or buffalo milk butter until milk solids separate. Because it is 100% dairy-derived, it is not vegan.

Glycerine (glycerol / E422) is a simple triol compound produced during the saponification or hydrolysis of triglycerides. Commercially, it can be manufactured from plant oils (soy, palm, coconut, or rapeseed) or recovered as a byproduct of rendering animal carcass tallow. Unless specified as 'vegetable glycerine' or certified vegan, source verification is required.

Guar gum is extracted from the ground endosperm of the guar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). 100% plant-based thickening and stabilizing agent.

Heavy cream is the high-fat fraction skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization.

Hemp seeds are the shelled seeds of Cannabis sativa. They are non-psychoactive and a complete plant protein with an ideal 3:1 omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.

Honey is produced by bees for their own nutritional needs. Harvesting it involves exploitation and harm to bee colonies.

Isinglass is a collagen substance obtained from the dried swim bladders of fish. It is traditionally added to cask ales and wines to accelerate clarification.

Traditional Korean kimchi is commonly made with jeotgal (salted fermented seafood like fish sauce or baby shrimp paste). However, vegan kimchi made using kelp (kombu) and shiitake mushroom broth is 100% plant-based.

L-Cysteine (E920/E921) is a semi-essential amino acid used as an industrial dough conditioner to relax gluten networks. Historically and commercially, the majority of global L-cysteine is extracted through acid hydrolysis of duck and poultry feathers or hog hair from slaughterhouses. Although modern microbial fermentation (bacterial biosynthesis) and synthetic routes exist, food ingredient labels almost never disclose the raw biological source without third-party vegan certification.

Lanolin is a waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing sheep. It is washed from sheep wool after shearing.

Lard is rendered pig fat obtained from fatty tissue of pigs. It is strictly an animal fat.

Lecithin (E322) is a generic term for a mixture of amphiphilic phospholipids and triglycerides. Over 95% of commercial food-grade lecithin is extracted mechanically and enzymatically from plant seeds, specifically soybeans, sunflower seeds, and rapeseed (canola). While lecithin was originally discovered in egg yolks (from the Greek lekithos), egg-derived lecithin is significantly more expensive and mandatory allergen labeling laws require it to be explicitly labeled as 'egg lecithin'.

Lentils (Lens culinaris) are edible legumes known for high protein, dietary fiber, iron, and folate.

Maple syrup is made by tapping xylem sap from sugar maple trees (Acer saccharum) and boiling it down to concentrate sugars.

Traditional commercial marshmallows are made with animal gelatin (derived from pig and cattle skin and bones) to achieve their signature squishy, chewy texture. They are not vegan.

Traditional miso is made by fermenting whole soybeans with salt and koji (Aspergillus oryzae culture). 100% plant-based probiotic umami seasoning.

E471 emulsifiers can be synthesized from plant oils (soy, palm, sunflower) or animal fats (tallow, lard). Unless specified as vegetable-derived, source is ambiguous.

Original Ferrero Nutella is NOT vegan because it contains skimmed cow's milk powder (8.7%) and dairy whey powder. Vegan hazelnut cocoa spreads made with dark chocolate, hazelnut butter, and plant milk are widely available.

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated species of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on molasses, harvested, washed, and dried with heat.

Oat milk is a plant milk derived from whole oat grains (Avena sativa) milled with water and enzymatically treated.

Botanically, palm oil is 100% plant-based, pressed from the red fruit pulp and kernels of oil palms (Elaeis guineensis). It contains zero animal ingredients, though many vegans avoid it due to deforestation and habitat destruction.

Paneer is a non-aged, non-melting soft cheese made by curdling cow or buffalo milk with lemon juice, vinegar, or citric acid. Because it is made from animal milk, it is not vegan.

Authentic Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO) is strictly made with cow's milk and calf rennet enzyme from animal stomachs.

The vast majority of peanut butter is 100% vegan, made simply from roasted peanuts, salt, and plant oils. A few specialty brands contain bee honey or animal-derived mono-and-diglycerides.

Pectin (E440) is a structural heteropolysaccharide naturally present in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. Commercially, it is extracted exclusively from citrus peels (lemons, limes, oranges) and apple pomace byproducts of fruit juice processing. It is 100% plant-derived and inherently vegan.

Traditional Genoese pesto is NOT vegan because it contains Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese made with animal rennet (stomach enzymes of calves). Vegan pesto replaces cheese with nutritional yeast and cashews or pine nuts.

Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) are green edible seeds of pumpkins. Packed with ~30g plant protein per 100g and the highest plant source of bioavailable zinc and magnesium.

Red 40 (Allura Red AC / E129) is a synthetic azo dye manufactured from petroleum distillates and coal tar. It contains NO animal ingredients and is NOT made from crushed insects (which is Carmine / E120).

Traditional rennet is an enzyme complex harvested from the fourth stomach (abomasum) of slaughtered unweaned calves. Microbial or vegetable rennet is vegan.

Seitan is made by washing wheat flour dough with water until all the starch granules have been removed, leaving pure wheat gluten.

Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac insect (Kerria lacca) onto trees in India and Thailand. The harvesting process results in the death of many insects.

Soy milk is produced by soaking, grinding, and boiling dry soybeans with water.

Spirulina is a nutrient-dense blue-green microalga cultivated in fresh alkaline water ponds. 100% plant-based superfood containing ~57g protein per 100g.

Tahini is a condiment made from toasted, ground hulled sesame seeds.

Tallow is rendered fat prepared from beef or mutton suet. It is 100% animal-derived.

Traditional black tapioca pearls (boba) are made from 100% plant-based cassava root starch (tapioca), water, and dark brown sugar or caramel coloring. They contain no gelatin or dairy.

Traditional Indonesian food made by fermenting cooked whole soybeans with Rhizopus oligosporus mold.

Tofu is made by coagulating fresh soy milk, pressing the curds into solid blocks. 100% plant-based.

Standard commercial Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is synthesized by extracting 7-dehydrocholesterol from the greasy lanolin oil of sheep's wool and exposing it to ultraviolet light, making conventional D3 animal-derived. However, modern 100% vegan Vitamin D3 sustainably harvested from wild-grown lichens (such as Cladonia rangiferina / reindeer lichen) or algae is identical in bioavailability and completely cruelty-free.

Walnuts are the champion nut source of plant-based Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA Omega-3 fatty acids). 100% plant-based whole food.

Whey is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained during cheese making. It is directly animal-derived.

Some refined cane sugar is decolorized using cattle bone char filters. Beet sugar and unrefined/organic cane sugar are never processed with bone char.

Although wine is fundamentally produced from crushed and fermented grapes (Vitis vinifera), many winemakers use animal-derived fining agents during the clarification and stabilization process to precipitate harsh tannins, hazes, and dead yeast cells. Traditional finings include egg white albumen, milk casein, animal gelatin, and fish isinglass. However, un-fined natural wines and modern winemakers utilizing bentonite clay, pea protein, or sterile cross-flow ceramic membranes produce 100% vegan wines.

Traditional Worcestershire sauce is NOT vegan because it contains fermented anchovies (fish). However, certified vegan Worcestershire sauces made with soy sauce, tamarind, and apple cider vinegar are widely available.

Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide produced through the fermentation of glucose or sucrose by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. 100% vegan.

Yeast is a single-celled eukaryotic microorganism classified under the kingdom Fungi (the same kingdom as mushrooms). Yeasts do not belong to the animal kingdom, have no central nervous system, and are 100% vegan.