Are Flying Saucers vegan? Flying saucers (also known as UFOs), are a popular confectionery item in the UK and other parts of the world. They are a type of sweet made by sandwiching sherbet powder between two wafer discs, creating a crunchy, fizzy, and slightly tangy snack.
One reason for their popularity is their unique texture and taste. The combination of the crisp wafer and fizzy sherbet creates a unique sensation in the mouth.
Despite their popularity, the question of whether flying saucers are vegan remains a point of debate among those following a plant-based lifestyle. Some people assume that flying saucers are vegan because they are not made with gelatin (a common non-vegan ingredient found in many confectionery products). However, as we will explore, there are other ingredients in flying saucers that may not align with a vegan diet.
What Are Flying Saucers Made From?
Flying saucers are typically made from a combination of ingredients that create their unique texture and flavour. The most common ingredients used in flying saucers include:
- Wafers: The wafer discs used in flying saucers are typically made from wheat flour, vegetable oil, and salt.
- Sherbet: The sherbet filling is what gives flying saucers their distinctive fizzy taste. Sherbet is made from a combination of sugar, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and flavourings.
While flying saucers do not contain gelatin, they may contain other ingredients that are not suitable for those following a vegan diet. For example, some brands of flying saucers may contain ‘carmine’, a red pigment made from crushed beetles, which is often used as a food colouring. Carmine is not considered vegan because it is an animal-derived product.
Additionally, some brands of flying saucers may contain other non-vegan ingredients such as dairy products or honey, which are not suitable for those following a plant-based lifestyle. It’s important to always check the ingredient list before consuming any food item, especially if you are following a specific dietary restriction such as veganism.
So, Are Flying Saucers Vegan?
Veganism is a lifestyle choice that involves avoiding the use of animal products for food, clothing, or any other purpose. People who follow a vegan lifestyle choose to do so for ethical, environmental, and health reasons.
When it comes to determining whether flying saucers are vegan or not, the answer is not straightforward. While flying saucers do not contain gelatin, which is a non-vegan ingredient commonly found in candies, they may contain other non-vegan ingredients such as carmine, dairy products, or honey, as mentioned earlier.
It’s essential to check the ingredient list of the specific brand of flying saucers you are interested in, as ingredients can vary between brands. If the brand of flying saucers contains any animal-derived products, it cannot be considered vegan.
In conclusion, while some brands of flying saucers may be vegan-friendly, not all of them are suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle. It’s crucial to read the ingredient list carefully and make an informed decision based on your dietary choices and beliefs.
Make Your Own Flying Saucers
If you prefer to make your own snacks, here’s a recipe for homemade vegan flying saucers:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of icing sugar
- 1 cup of corn starch
- 1/4 cup of citric acid
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1/4 tsp of cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp of natural food coloring
- 2 tbsp of water
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the icing sugar, corn starch, citric acid, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Mix well.
- Add the food colouring and water to the dry ingredients, and mix until you have a dough-like consistency.
- Divide the dough into small balls, and flatten them into a disc shape.
- Place the discs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them dry for 24 hours.
- Once the flying saucers are dry, sandwich them with a small amount of vegan sherbet, and enjoy!
These homemade vegan flying saucers offer a similar taste and texture to the original flying saucers, but definitely without any animal-derived products.