As a subject matter expert in nutrition and dietary lifestyles, I can provide you with an informed answer to your question about the vegan status of cocoa butter.

Cocoa butter is extracted from cocoa beans, which are the seeds of the cacao tree. The process involves harvesting the cacao pods, removing the beans, and then fermenting and drying them. The beans are then roasted and cracked, and the resulting "nibs" are ground to produce a liquid called cocoa liquor. This liquor is then pressed to separate the cocoa solids from the cocoa butter.

Cocoa butter is the fatty part of the cocoa bean, and it is used extensively in the confectionery industry to give chocolate its characteristic texture and richness. Since cocoa butter is derived from a plant source and does not involve the use of any animal products or by-products in its production, it is considered vegan.

However, it's important to note that not all chocolate products that contain cocoa butter are vegan. Some chocolate products may contain milk solids, milk powder, or other dairy components, which would make them non-vegan. Additionally, some brands may use animal-derived emulsifiers or other additives in their chocolate production process. Therefore, when looking for vegan chocolate, it's crucial to check the ingredient list and look for a product that is explicitly labeled as vegan.

In conclusion, cocoa butter itself is vegan, but the final product that contains cocoa butter may or may not be vegan depending on the other ingredients used.

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Good news, yes, cocoa butter is dairy free and vegan! While many in the dairy-free and vegan communities see the word butter and assume that cocoa butter contains milk, this is not the case. Cocoa butter is actually the fat portion of the cocoa bean and is a completely vegetarian fat source.read more >>