Identifying whether Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is vegan can often be difficult.
This difficulty arises because manufacturers, like those at Peet’s Coffee, sometimes conceal the true nature and source of their ingredients.
However, this article aims to uncover the truth and provide you, the reader, with valuable information to support your compassionate, vegan lifestyle.
Is Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Vegan?
No, Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is not vegan. This pumpkin-flavored dessert coffee beverage contains condensed skim milk in the pumpkin spice sauce and the optional whipped cream. Both of these ingredients are derived from dairy, which is an animal product.
Is Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Cruelty-Free?
No, Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is not cruelty-free. The use of dairy products, such as condensed skim milk and whipped cream, indicates that animals are involved in the production process.
That alone isn’t enough to condemn a product, but dairy farming often subjects animals to inhumane and cruel living conditions, which goes against the principles of a cruelty-free product.
What Is Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Made Of?
Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is a blend of the following ingredients:
- Espresso
- Milk (your choice of 2%, whole, non-fat, soy, almond, or oat milk)
- Pumpkin spice sauce (made with condensed skim milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, spices)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Pumpkin spice topping (optional)
Espresso
Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. It’s vegan because it’s derived from the coffee bean plant.
Milk
Milk can be sourced from animals or plants. Dairy milk is not vegan because it comes from cows, but soy, almond, and oat milk are plant-based and vegan options.
Pumpkin Spice Sauce
This sauce is made from condensed skim milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, and spices. The condensed skim milk is an animal product, making this sauce non-vegan. Since you can’t have a pumpkin spice latte without the pumpkin spice sauce, the pumpkin spice latte is, by extension, not vegan.
Whipped Cream
Whipped cream is made from heavy cream, which is a dairy product, and is therefore not vegan.
Pumpkin Spice Topping
The pumpkin spice topping is a blend of spices, typically including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. It’s vegan because it’s derived from plants.
Vegan Alternatives to Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte
If you love pumpkin spice but want to stick to vegan options, you’re in luck! There are numerous alternative brands available:
- Opt for a vegan pumpkin spice latte from other coffee shops that guarantee dairy-free ingredients.
- Get a product like Califia Farms – Pumpkin Spice Latte, Silk Almond Milk Coffee Creamer, Pumpkin Spice or Laird Superfood Non-Dairy Original Superfood Pumpkin Spice.
- Make your own vegan pumpkin spice at home using vegan pumpkin spice recipes found online, like this one from Vegan Huggs.
Conclusion
Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte, while a popular autumnal treat, is not vegan due to its use of dairy products. However, with the rise of veganism and the increasing demand for vegan food, there are plenty of alternatives available.
Whether you choose to customize your order at Peet’s or make your own vegan version at home, there are ways to enjoy the flavors of fall without compromising your vegan values.
Remember, every choice we make impacts the planet and its inhabitants, so let’s choose compassionately.