A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Albumen
A protein from egg white, sometimes used to clarify wines.
Aleuritic Acid
Derivative of shellac.
Almond Milk
Milky liquid obtained from almonds, used as an alternative to dairy milks. Usually
sold in long-life cartons, from health food stores or large supermarkets.
Anchovies
A variety of small marine fish,
traditionally used as an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce. Often found in
commercial Caesar salad dressings too.
Angora
Hair from the Angora goat, used in the clothing industry.
Albumen
A protein from egg white, sometimes used to clarify wines.
Aspic
A savoury jelly made from meat or fish stock, found around meat dishes and
pates.
Barley Miso
Japanese cooking ingredient made by the fermentation of barley.
Miso is typically used in miso soups or ramen noodle dishes, but can be used
more widely to enrich stocks or gravies.
Bean Curd
Also known as tofu. Pressed soya milk curds, used widely in
vegan and Asian cooking. Can be fresh or long life. Also available in a smooth "silken" form
for blending.
Butter
A solid, white-yellow (sometimes coloured) fat obtained by churning
milk.
Buttermilk
The slightly sour liquid remaining after the formation of butter.
Butternut Squash
A small pumpkin - nothing to do with butter!
Caesar Salad
Salad named after the Italian chef Caesar Cardini. The dressing contains
eggs and anchovies (or Worcestershire sauce, which contains anchovies).
Casein
A milk protein.
Cashmere
A soft wool made from Kashmiri goat hair, used in clothing.
Cheese
The curd (solid) of milk, separated from the whey (liquid). Sometimes prepation
involves the use of animal rennet, resulting in a cheese unsuitable for vegetarians.
Cheese made from non-dairy milk may be suitable for vegans, although some commercial
"dairy-free" cheeses contain milk derivatives such as casein, making
them unsuitable for vegans. (see rennet, whey, casein)
Chitin
Material derived from the bodies of insects.
Clarified Butter
Butter that has been processed to remove milk solids, widely used in
Indian cookery. Also known as ghee.
Clarify
The process of fining wines to remove sediments. Some fining agents are
animal-derived, making some wines unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Cochineal
A red food colouring added to food products such as sweets and yoghurts, made
from the crushed bodies of an insect. Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
May be listed in ingredients as E120.
Coeliac (or celiac)
A person who is gluten intolerant. Coeliacs must be careful to avoid all gluten
and wheat sources in their diet, which includes barley, rye, cous cous, malt,
as well as some soya sauces, soft
drinks and soft cheeses. (See gluten)
Dairy Products
Milk and its derivatives, such as cheese and butter. Generally this term is not
used to include eggs, which are considered a separate group.
Demi-vegetarian
A person who partly follows a vegetarian diet, but eats some meat and fish
occasionally.
Demi-vegan
A person who partly follows a vegan diet, but may eat or use some animal
derived products
occasionally.
E Numbers
Food additives permitted for use within Europe. Some are always animal derived
(such as E120 - the colouring agent cochineal, extracted from dried
coccid insects) and others may be either animal or plant derived (such
as E322
- the emulsifier lecithin, derived from eggs or soya). (For lists of E
numbers that are or may be animal derived, see pages on the UK Vegetarian
Society and the Vegan
Society websites).
Eggs
Hen and other bird eggs are avoided by vegans because of the cruelty involved
in the farming industry. Even "free range" egg production involves
the slaughter of unwanted male chicks and old hens.
Fortified Foods
Foods such as breakfast cereals and breads may be fortified with vitamins
and minerals, i.e. vitamins and minerals are added to the food after processing,
often to replace those lost during the manufacture process. Some vitamins
that may be present in fortified foods, such as D3, are not suitable for
vegans as they are derived from animal sources.
Gelatine (or Gelatin)
Food ingredient derived from boiling the bones, skin and tendons of animals.
Used as a fining agent in wines, and a gelling agent in cookery.
Ghee
Butter that has been processed to remove milk solids, widely used in
Indian cookery. Also known as clarified butter.
Gluten
A protein found in wheat and some other cereals (such as barley and rye). Glutens
are sometimes extracted from the grain to create a vegetarian and vegan meat
called seitan.
Glycerin (Glycerine)
A colourless syrupy liquid used in food and cosmetic products. Glycerin may be
derived from animal or vegetable sources. Also known as glycerol.
Glycerol
A colourless syrupy liquid used in food and cosmetic products. Glycerin may be
derived from animal or vegetable sources. Also known as glycerin.
Gram Flour
A protein rich flour made from ground chickpeas. A little can be added to
baking as an egg replacer (with water), or mixed with non-dairy milk or
water to make an egg-free batter or egg-wash replacement, for frying.
Hens' Eggs
Avoided by vegans because of the cruelty involved
in the farming industry. Even "free range" egg production involves
the slaughter of unwanted male chicks and old hens.
Honey
A sweet substance made by bees from nectar. Honey is stored
in honeycomb for use as food by the bees. Widely used as a sweetner in cooking
and desserts. Honey is not eaten by vegans, who may use other liquid sweeteners.
(See sweeteners, liquid)
Honeycomb
The waxy structure of the beehive used by the bees to store honey, eggs, and
where larva develop. Sometimes sold as a sweet food, often with honey. Not
suitable for vegans.
Iodine
Trace mineral essential for the healthy thyroid function. Vegans should ensure
a healthy (but not excessive) intake of iodine through inclusion of iodine
sources such as seaweed, iodised salt or supplements.
Iron
Trace mineral essential for the blood. Good animal-free sources include leafy
green vegetables and dried fruits.
Jalaric Acid
A derivative of shellac.
Keratin
A protein found in hair, nails and hooves. This animal-derived ingredient
may be found in cosmetics.
Lacto-
Prefix: relating to milk
Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian
A vegetarian who does eat eggs and dairy products.
Lacto-Vegetarian
A vegetarian who does eat dairy products but does not eat eggs.
Lard
A saturated fat obtained from pigs.
Margarine
A spreadable fat made by chemically processing vegetable oils. Most margarines
contain many ingredients, some of which may be of animal origin. Vegan margarines
and spreads are available.
Milks
Animal milk, obtained from sheep, goats and cows are avoided by vegans because
of the cruelty involved in the dairy industry, and the inevitable slaughter
of animals as soon as their milk production drops below optimum. Nut, bean
and cereal milks may be used as direct replacements.
Miso
Japanese cooking ingredient made by the fermentation of rice, barley or soya
beans (or a mixture). Typically used in miso soups or ramen noodle dishes,
but can be used more widely to enrich stocks or gravies.
Mohair
The hair of the Angora goat, or the fabric made from this hair, used in clothing.
Nut Milks
A white liquid obtained from nuts such as almond, used as a replacement for
dairy milk in cooking and drinking.
Oat Milk
Milky liquid obtained from oats, used as an alternative to dairy milks. Usually
sold in long-life cartons, from health food stores or large supermarkets.
Offal
The edible internal organs of an animal, such as the liver and tongue.
Ovo-
Prefix: relating to eggs.
Ovo-Vegetarian
A vegetarian who does eat eggs but not dairy products.
Parmesan
Traditional Parmesan (branded Parmigiano – Reggiano) is
always made with calf rennet, so is not suitable for vegetarians. Other parmesan
cheeses not labelled Parmigiano – Reggiano are not subject to the same
strict production regulations, and may be made with vegetable rennet.
Pescetarian
Term sometimes used to describe people who eat fish but no meat.
Propolis
A substance used by bees in the construction of the hive. Propolis is sometimes
incorporated into health and beauty products.
Quail
A small game bird. The meat and eggs are used as food.
Rennet
Substance derived from the intestine of slaughtered calves, used in
cheesemaking.
Rice Milk
Milky liquid obtained from rice, used as an alternative to dairy milks. Usually
sold in long-life cartons, from health food stores or large supermarkets.
Roe
Fish eggs obtained by the slaughter of female fish.
Shellac
Waxy product obtained from the cultivation of insects. Shellac is used in tablet
coatings, paints and varnishes amongst other things.
Seitan
A textured meat substitute made from wheat gluten. (See gluten)
Silk
Silk is the fine fibre produced by silk worms for their cocoons. It is used
in the clothing and other textile industries, when the silk worm is usually
killed to obtain the fibre.
Soya Bean Curd
Also known as tofu. Pressed soya milk curds, used widely in vegan and
Asian cooking. Can be fresh or long life. Also available in a smooth "silken" form
for blending.
Soya Milk
Milky liquid obtained from soya beans, used as an alternative to dairy milks.
Sold in long-life or refrigerated cartons, from health food stores or large
supermarkets. May be sweetened or unsweetened, sometimes flavoured with vanilla,
and sometimes fortified with calcium and other nutrients.
Straight Edge
A philosophy of keeping the body poison free, generally meaning no drugs and
no alcohol, but may include vegetarian or vegan philosophies.
Suet
Animal suet is made from the hard fat found around the kidneys of sheep and
cattle. Vegetable suet is widely available as an alternative.
Supplements
Some vitamins in nutritional supplements, such as D3, are not suitable
for vegans as they are derived from animal sources.
Sweetbread
The thymus gland (throat sweetbread) or pancreas (stomach sweetbread) of an animal,
usually calves (veal) or lambs, but sometimes pigs. After blanching, removal
of gristle, skin and nerves, sweetbreads may be braised in stock, creamed,
stewed or curried and eaten.
Sweeteners, liquid
A range of liquid sweeteners are available for use in food and cooking. Honey
is not eaten by vegans, but other plant-derived sweeteners are used, such as
agave syrup, black treacle, golden syrup, brown rice syrup, barley syrup and
maple syrup.
Tallow
An animal fat made from suet. Often used in soaps and candles.
Taramasalata
Dip made from cod roe (see roe.)
Tofu
Also known as soya bean curd. Pressed soya milk curds, used widely in vegan
and Asian cooking. Can be fresh or long life. Also available in a smooth "silken" form
for blending.
TSP (Textured Soya Protein)
A bland processed meat-substitute made from defatted soya flour.
Usually available dried, typically as mince or chunks, but more recently
in other forms too. To use, typically soak for about 15 minutes in 2-3 times
as much water (or highly flavoured stock) as TSP.
TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)
A bland processed meat-substitute made from vegetable matter (usually soya).
Available dried or frozen, typically as mince or chunks, but more recently
in other
forms too. To use, typically soak for about 15 minutes in 2-3 times as
much water (or highly flavoured stock) as TVP.
Ugli Fruit
A large citrus fruit which is a cross between a tangerine, a grapefruit and an
orange.
Vegan
A strict vegetarian who does not eat eggs, dairy products or honey. Vegans
also avoid the use of all products derived from animals (such as gelatine,
wool, leather).
Vegetarian
A broad term meaning a person who does not consume animal flesh (including
poultry and seafood) nor products made from dead animals (such as gelatine)
but may or
may not eat dairy products and eggs. In common usage (including
on this site) it is often taken to mean a lacto-ovo-vegetarian. (See lacto-ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, vegan.)
Vitamin B12
This vitamin only occurs naturally in foods from animal origin, such
as eggs, milk and cheese. Vegans are advised to supplement their diet
with synthetic B12.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D may be used in nutritional supplements or in some fortified
foods. D3 is avoided by vegans, as it is often derived from lanolin.
Vegan supplements use other forms of vitamin D, such as D2.
Vitamins
Some vitamins in nutritional supplements or fortified foods are not
suitable for vegans as they are derived from animal sources. (See
also Vitamin B12
and Vitamin D.)
Whey
By-product of cheese manufacture. May or may not be vegetarian, depending
on the type of rennet used. The powder is often added to processed foods.
Wool
Coat of sheep and other animals used in clothing, furniture and carpets.
Wool is obtained by shearing live animals, or "pulling" from
slaughtered animals. Vegans avoid wool because of the inhumane transport
of animals, cruel procedures such
as
docking
and
mulesing,
stress
during
shearing,
and the
inevitable
slaughter of animals at the end of their "useful" life.
Worcestershire sauce
Condiment often formulated with anchovies. Vegetarian versions are available,
usually from health food shops.
Yam
The starchy tubers of various twining plants, eaten as a vegetable. In the
US, yam is generally synonymous with sweet potato.
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These pages were last updated 22nd May 2010
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