Is French Peasant Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a bread is strictly vegan, we have to look beyond the obvious. While most people know to avoid milk or eggs, some artisan breads use ingredients like L-cysteine (often derived from feathers) or dairy-based dough conditioners. Fortunately, the French Peasant loaf keeps it clean and plant-based.

The primary structure comes from Unbleached Wheat Flour and water. For fat and moisture, the recipe uses Canola Oil, which is a vegetable oil and fully vegan. One ingredient that sometimes confuses consumers is Organic Vinegar. While some vinegars are processed using animal bone char, organic vinegar is regulated to ensure no animal products are used in its filtration or production.

Leavening is achieved through Yeast, a microorganism, not an animal product. The flavor complexity comes from Barley Malt and Cultured Organic Whole Wheat Flour. Barley malt is derived from sprouted barley grains, and the "cultured" flour is essentially flour fermented with beneficial bacteria (similar to a sourdough starter), both of which are entirely vegan-friendly.

Nutritional Value

While French Peasant is vegan, it is important to view it through a nutritional lens. Like most breads, it is a carbohydrate-heavy food, providing energy through Unbleached Wheat Flour. It contains a moderate amount of sodium from Sea Salt, which is standard for savory breads but something to watch if you are on a strict low-sodium diet.

The inclusion of Canola Oil adds a small amount of fat, keeping the crumb moist. Because it uses whole wheat flour and lacks refined sugars (no high fructose corn syrup or cane sugar is listed), it fits well into a balanced diet. It is not a low-carb or keto option, but for those following a standard plant-based diet looking for a hearty bread, it is a solid choice.