Is ajo vegan?

Ajo is the Spanish word for garlic, which is an edible bulb from the flowering plant species Allium sativum. It is cultivated globally and processed into various forms, including fresh cloves, minced garlic, dehydrated flakes, oils, pastes, and fine powders. Food manufacturers commonly list ajo on ingredient declarations for Spanish-language or imported packaged foods, such as salsas, marinades, seasoned snacks, spice blends, and ready-made sauces.

The ingredient receives a vegan verdict because it is wholly of plant origin and involves no animal sources. Cultivating, harvesting, and processing garlic into culinary ingredients relies on mechanical washing, peeling, drying, and milling techniques without the use of animal-derived processing aids or additives. Whether listed on packaging simply as ajo, ajo en polvo, or ajo deshidratado, the ingredient is entirely plant-based and suitable for a vegan diet.