Last reviewed May 2026 · 1 min read

Is Castoreum vegan?

Also known as: Beaver Castor, Castor

Not Vegan

Derived from animals — avoid.

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In short

No — Extracted from beavers.

01 · The basics

What is Castoreum?

A yellowish exudate from the castor sacs of mature beavers.

02 · The source

Where it comes from

Extracted from beavers. Used rarely today as a natural vanilla/raspberry flavoring.

03 · Alternatives

Best vegan alternatives

Vanilla extract

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Synthetic vanillin

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Frequently asked

FAQ

Is castoreum vegan?

No, castoreum is not vegan as it is an exudate from the castor sacs of beavers.

What is castoreum made of?

Castoreum is a yellowish exudate from the castor sacs of mature beavers, located near the base of the tail.

Is castoreum still used in food?

While historically used, castoreum is rarely used in food today, primarily as a natural vanilla or raspberry flavoring.

Commonly found in

Vanilla FlavoringRaspberry FlavoringPerfumes
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