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This low-on-the-list ingredient is used in small quantities but plays a big role in these products—extending their life and creating an eye-catching sheen. Besides the aforementioned candies, it’s also sometimes used to coat some fruits (like apples),coffee beans, pill tablets and gum.
Another nickname for this ingredient is “beetle juice.” That’s because it’s made with bug secretions. The glaze is derived from stick lac, a resin harvested from the branches of trees after a small insect feeds on the tree sap then creates a hard, water-repellent cocoon to protect her almost-ready-to-hatch eggs. These branches are crushed, washed and strained through a sieve to purify the resin—which at this point likely includes pieces of insects that were also on the tree.
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So if you enjoy those candies or see a shiny coating on your apple snack, no need to shelf these foods —unless you’re following a strictvegan diet. Since the glaze likely includes bugs, it’s not vegan-friendly. Instead, seek out goodies coated with zein, a corn-based vegan glaze, or keep your eyes peeled for shellac-free foods. While they do contain dairy, M&M’s don’t contain this ingredient. For a fully vegan find, try Hu Kitchen’s Chocolate-Covered Hunks which boast no resinous glaze.
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