VEGAN TEA - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Being vegan is all about what you CAN have, not what you can’t. So for information and inspiration, read on!

First of all, some very good news for Vegans. Nearly all of our teas and infusions are suitable for a vegan diet. Go to our Vegan Teas & Infusions shop to select your favourite flavours.

However, an issue tea-drinking vegans might encounter, is that the traditional ceremony of Afternoon Tea - with all the trappings of scones and clotted cream, finger sandwiches, chocolate éclairs and cakes - are full of animal based foods and fats like dairy milk, cream and butter. And of course, what about milk in your tea?

FIRST OF ALL WHAT DOES VEGAN MEAN?

For those making the decision to go vegan, it means zero animal based products in your food and drink. No meat, no animal fats like milk and butter or cheese, no eggs, no fish, and for strict vegans no honey either. And this is where you need to choose your vegan teas a little more carefully. Because some of our infusions include honey and bee pollen or blended flavours like caramel which is of course made with dairy products.

VEGAN FRIENDLY TEAS

As already mentioned, nearly all of our teas and infusions are suitable for a vegan diet. Go to our Vegan Teas & Infusions shop to select your favourite flavours.

TEAS FOR EVERY DAY - DRINK IT ALL IN

DAIRY FREE MILK FOR YOUR CUPPA

Vegans don’t have to stick to black tea either. These days there is a plethora of dairy-free milk alternatives on the market, easily available not only in health food shops, but pretty much all supermarkets too. So if the idea of taking your tea without milk is just unthinkable… don’t worry! You don’t have to. You can also find “Free From” sections in most shops as well to help manage dietary intolerances and allergies.

Milks that go really well with black teas include: almond milk, hazelnut milk, coconut milk, oat milk, rice milk, hemp milk and, of course, soya milk. Each of these milks have varying health benefits, fat, sugar and protein content of course… it’s definitely worth experimenting with the milks you prefer to see which ones go best with which tea.

DAIRY FREE CLOTTED CREAM

Scones, a revered part of afternoon tea, can be made vegan friendly and also served with vegan friendly coconut clotted cream. Here’s a great recipe at Wallflower Kitchen, a great go to website for vegan friendly recipes.

SANDWICHES AND FINGER FOODS

Rather than serve the traditional smoked salmon, beef and horseradish, egg mayonnaise, coronation chicken – there are loads of vegan friendly options here, including of course the traditional cucumber sandwiches. Use vegan butter and try out delicious vegan fillings like sweet red onion and hummus, pesto and roasted peppers, aubergines… delicious and healthy. Read the Recipe.

A PROPER DAY OUT

Brits and tourists alike love to spend a day out at a smart hotel for Afternoon Tea. There’s good news here for vegans, too. All good London hotels from the Ritz to Saint Ermine’s provide vegan friendly and impressive Afternoon Teas. Not a Londoner? Don’t worry. There are also some great establishments, restaurants and hotels up and down the country that now also offer vegan friendly, beautifully presented afternoon teas: there’s no need to scrimp on taste.

This fantastic website lists an array of places throughout the UK and London for a delicious and vegan friendly afternoon tea: