After Eight is a popular brand of mint chocolate thins that has left many vegans wondering whether they can indulge in this delightful treat. In this article, we will delve into the ingredients of After Eight and explore whether or not they are suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.
Ingredients of After Eight
Before determining the vegan-friendliness of After Eight, let’s take a look at its ingredients. The composition of After Eight includes:
- Sugar
- Cocoa mass
- Glucose syrup
- Cocoa butter
- Butterfat
- Emulsifier (sunflower lecithin)
- Peppermint oil
- Stabilizer (invertase)
From this list, it is evident that After Eight contains some ingredients that might raise concerns for vegans.
Sugar and Cocoa Mass
The presence of sugar and cocoa mass does not pose any issues for vegans. However, it’s worth noting that some sugar manufacturers use bone char, which is derived from animal bones, in the refining process. Therefore, vegans who avoid bone char may want to check if the specific sugar used in After Eight is bone-char free.
Glucose Syrup and Cocoa Butter
Both glucose syrup and cocoa butter can be derived from plant or animal sources. Without further information, it is difficult to determine the origin of these ingredients in After Eight. It is advisable for vegans to reach out to the manufacturer for clarification.
Butterfat and Emulsifier
The presence of butterfat clearly indicates that After Eight is not suitable for vegans. Butterfat is a product of dairy and is derived from milk. Similarly, the emulsifier used in After Eight, which is sunflower lecithin, poses no concerns for vegans.
Peppermint Oil and Stabilizer
Peppermint oil and stabilizer (invertase) used in After Eight are plant-based ingredients and are compatible with a vegan lifestyle.
Conclusion
After careful analysis of the ingredients, it is evident that After Eight is not entirely vegan-friendly. While some aspects of the composition align with a vegan lifestyle, the inclusion of butterfat makes it unsuitable for those following a strict vegan diet. Vegans who do not mind consuming small amounts of dairy may still enjoy After Eight, but for those who avoid all animal-derived products, alternatives should be explored.
