Is Peach & Lemon Vegan? A Food Scientist's Deep Dive

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and straight at the formulation. The Peach & Lemon ingredient list is actually quite clean compared to many modern beverages, but it contains one specific item that requires a closer look.

The base of the drink is WATER, which is obviously vegan. For sweetness, the brand uses ERYTHRITOL and MONK FRUIT EXTRACT. These are plant-derived sugar alcohols and fruit extracts, making them excellent choices for a vegan diet as they contain no animal byproducts.

For flavor and acidity, we see PINEAPPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, and MALIC ACID. Malic acid is naturally found in fruits like apples and is synthesized for commercial use; it is 100% vegan. The thickening agent here is AGAR (derived from red algae/sea vegetables), which is the standard vegan replacement for gelatin.

The primary flag for vegans is NATURAL FLAVOR. In the food industry, 'natural flavor' can be derived from both plant and animal sources. While the name implies a plant origin (like peach essence), manufacturers are not required to disclose the source. In a fruit-flavored drink, it is highly likely to be plant-based, but without specific confirmation from the company, it remains a potential non-vegan risk.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Peach & Lemon is designed as a zero-calorie or low-calorie refreshment. By using non-nutritive sweeteners like ERYTHRITOL, the brand avoids adding sugar, keeping the glycemic index near zero. This makes it an excellent choice for those monitoring their sugar intake or following a ketogenic diet.

There are no fats or proteins listed in the ingredients, which is typical for a fruit-flavored water enhancer. The inclusion of WHITE TEA POWDER likely adds a negligible amount of antioxidants, though the exact amount isn't specified. Overall, it fits well within the limits of a health-conscious diet, provided you are comfortable with the use of sugar alcohols.