Is Sourdough Bread Vegan?
Almost any variety of bread, from whole grain, to rye, to sourdough, could be either vegan or non-vegan. Although the formula for basic bread-making is quite simple — flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt — it can be altered in many ways.
For example, eggs, milk, and honey are also common bread ingredients, since they can soften and improve the texture/flavor of a loaf. Sugar can also be a controversial ingredient, at least in the U.S., since it’s sometimes refined using animal bone char. Additionally, egg wash is sometimes applied to loaves before baking. Even the pan used to bake your favorite loaf at your local bakery could’ve been greased with butter.
That said, our intention isn’t to ask you to worry about every little detail in the production of your bread. We believe each individual should do whatever they can to help our planet and the animals, and avoid stressing about the rest. However, we believe that knowledge is power, and that it can help you consistently make the best viable decision when it comes to purchasing more ethical, sustainable foods! So, keep reading and discover what to watch out for when shopping for a loaf of all-vegan sourdough.
Potential Non-Vegan Ingredients in Sourdough
Sourdough is, by default, vegan-friendly. Its ingredient list traditionally includes only four ingredients: flour, water, a sourdough starter (typically made out of just flour and water), and salt. However, there is such a thing as ‘enriched sourdough’, which may contain dairy and eggs. In addition, as mentioned above, you’ll want to be careful if your sourdough is sweetened. After all, sugar produced in the U.S. is frequently processed with bone char, and a common alternative is honey (also not generally considered vegan). Organic sugar, however, is always vegan-friendly.
The starter can also be problematic. Some companies or artisanal bakers use animal-derived ingredients to enhance their starters, and these ingredients are not always listed. They may include a natural sweetener or milk. To be sure, you can either ask your local bakery what goes into their starter, or find a commercial loaf that lists their starter ingredients.
Some other non-vegan ingredients sometimes also added to commercial loaves are dairy-derivatives like casein, ghee, cream, milk powder, whey, and sodium casinate. If your go-to loaf lists any of these ingredients, it is sadly not entirely animal-friendly. Luckily, they should be easy to identify, since brands are legally required to list milk ingredients as an allergen.
Check out some awesome 100% vegan sourdough loaf recommendations below!