In today's society, there are more and more people who choose a vegan lifestyle. But diseases such as celiac disease and gluten intolerance make it difficult for them to find enough food to meet their needs. One question many vegans ask themselves is: "Is bread really vegan?"
To answer this question, we must first look at the ingredients of bread. The basis of any bread is flour, water, yeast and salt. But depending on the type of bread, other ingredients can be added, such as milk, eggs or oil.
If milk, eggs or oil are used in bread, it is of course no longer vegan. But these ingredients are usually only used in special types of bread, such as milk rolls or brioche. Accordingly, most conventional types of bread are vegan.
But what about the flour? Here it may be that it has been treated with a small amount of milk powder or other animal products. The reason for this is that these substances make the flour more durable. But in the final product, this amount is so small that it is acceptable for most vegans.
As a vegan, however, you should also keep an eye on the baking process. There are manufacturers who use animal aids such as egg whites or lactic acid bacteria to make the dough rise faster or to achieve a better shelf life. Fortunately, there are also many bakers who do not use these additives.
Did you know that the oldest bread in the world is 14,000 years old? It was found in Jordan and consists of wild grasses and water. Of course, the production of bread has changed a lot over time. Nowadays, the flour is usually milled electrically and the dough kneaded by machine. But there are still traditional bakers who do everything by hand and go back to old recipes.
The answer to the question "Is bread really vegan?" is: Yes, in most cases bread is vegan. But you should always be aware that animal products can also be used in bread. If you want to be on the safe side, you should ask a baker you trust or simply bake bread yourself.
I am Julius Walter, the founder of the blog "Veganhalunke", where I write about the vegan lifestyle. As a long-time vegan, I want to inspire others to also switch to a vegan diet and live an environmentally conscious lifestyle. I offer advice and tips for making the switch to a vegan diet and hope that my blog can help make a positive change for our world.