Unpacking the Ingredients: The Reality of the Impossible Sandwich
When Starbucks introduced the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich, it was seen as a major step towards providing more plant-based options for customers across the country. However, a common misconception quickly arose due to the use of the Impossible brand plant-based sausage patty. Many customers, seeing the "Impossible" name, assumed the entire sandwich was vegan. The reality, as confirmed by Starbucks' own nutritional information and ingredient listings, is that the sandwich is vegetarian but not vegan.
The crucial distinction lies in the other components of the sandwich, specifically the cheese and the egg. While the Impossible Sausage is indeed made from plants, the sandwich also includes a cage-free fried egg and a slice of real aged cheddar cheese. The ciabatta bun also contains dairy and eggs, further cementing its non-vegan status. This has led to some confusion and frustration among vegan customers who were hoping for a fully plant-based breakfast option.
The Components of the Starbucks Impossible Sandwich
Let's break down each element of the sandwich to understand why it isn't vegan:
- Impossible Sausage Patty: This is the only truly plant-based component. It's made from water, soy protein concentrate, sunflower oil, and coconut oil, among other ingredients.
- Aged Cheddar Cheese: This is a key ingredient and is, in fact, real cheese. The ingredients list specifies "Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (for color)". This is the primary reason the sandwich is not vegan.
- Cage-Free Fried Egg: The sandwich also contains a fried egg patty, which is another animal product.
- Sesame Ciabatta Bun: The bread itself is not vegan, as its ingredients include eggs and butter.
Comparing the Impossible Sandwich to True Vegan Options
For those seeking a fully plant-based meal, the Starbucks Impossible Sandwich is not the right choice. Other fast-food chains have introduced genuinely vegan breakfast options, but Starbucks' offering falls short for the strictest of plant-based diets. The inclusion of real dairy cheese and eggs, despite the plant-based sausage, is a critical detail for many consumers.
| Feature | Starbucks Impossible Sandwich | Fully Vegan Breakfast Sandwich |
|---|---|---|
| Sausage | Impossible Plant-Based Sausage | Plant-Based Sausage (e.g., Impossible, Beyond) |
| Cheese | Real Aged Cheddar Cheese (Dairy) | Plant-Based Cheese (e.g., Violife, Chao) |
| Egg | Real Cage-Free Fried Egg (Animal Product) | Plant-Based Egg Substitute (e.g., mung bean-based patty) |
| Bun | Sesame Ciabatta (Contains Milk & Eggs) | Vegan Bread or English Muffin |
| Dietary Suitability | Vegetarian | Vegan |
The Vegan Alternative in the Past
It is worth noting that Starbucks has, in the past, trialed fully vegan breakfast sandwiches in select locations. For example, in October 2020, a Plant-Powered Breakfast Sandwich was tested near Seattle. This version included a mung bean-based egg patty and a plant-based cheddar slice on a whole wheat English muffin. However, this fully vegan item was a limited-time test and not the widely available Impossible Breakfast Sandwich offered nationwide. The existence of this limited test highlights that Starbucks has considered a truly vegan option, but the current, more widespread offering is different.
How to Order a Vegan Breakfast at Starbucks (with Modifications)
For vegan customers, ordering the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich as-is is not an option. However, there are ways to create a modified, vegan-friendly breakfast. One approach is to order an Everything Bagel (which is vegan) and a side of avocado spread. Alternatively, some have opted to buy the Impossible sandwich, discard the egg and cheese, and just use the sausage patty with another vegan bread option. While this is a possibility, it results in wasted food and is a more costly solution.
Conclusion: A Misleading Name for the Uninformed
In conclusion, the answer to the question "Does the Impossible sandwich from Starbucks use real cheese?" is a definitive yes. Despite the plant-based sausage, the aged cheddar cheese and fried egg make the sandwich a vegetarian, not vegan, offering. Consumers looking for a fully plant-based meal should be aware of this crucial detail and either choose a different menu item or modify their order accordingly. The confusion around the name emphasizes the importance of checking ingredient lists, especially when dietary restrictions are involved.
Sources:
- Starbucks. "Impossible™ Breakfast Sandwich."
- Reddit. "PSA: if you're ordering the impossible sandwich from Starbucks...".
- Reddit. "⚠️ PSA FOR STARBUCKS ⚠️".
- Business Insider. "Starbucks Is Testing Vegan Breakfast Sandwiches Near Seattle".
