Veganism & Tea: The Art Of Tasty Plants

The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different. - Hippocrates

Choosing a vegan lifestyle is a commitment to animal and environmental welfare and a substantial dietary shift from the norms of society. By focusing on plants, this diet also opens up a rewarding botanical journey into flavor and subtlety.

The vast selection of flavors present in flora is a magnificent sensory experience. Drinking tea can add to this complex adventure! Tea is the most popular drink in the world for a good reason. The many varietals available are an exquisite example of the deliciousness of plants.

Camelia sinensis, or tea leaf, boasts a laundry list of beneficial compounds. Antioxidants help to scavenge free radicals and keep cells healthy. Specific antioxidants, known as catechins, aid in healthy weight maintenance.

This yummy little leaf has been enjoyed by peace-loving vegetarian cultures around the globe, from Zen Buddhists to India's Sadhus. No matter why you've chosen the lifestyle, there's a plethora of plant-based deliciousness. Tea is a vast exploratory mission of the deliciousness of flowers, leaves, and herbs.

A Peaceful Brew

Tea is an art and a meditation. The leaves contain calming phytochemicals that help us lead less aggressive lives. Throughout history, thoughtful cultures that emphasize empathy and abstain from consuming living things have also enjoyed tea.

The L-theanine amino acid in tea helps stabilize thought and focus the tea drinker. By putting intention into action, refining responses, and appreciating the nuance of the beauty of life, we can be grateful.

Life is precious for all the beautiful beings who live on this planet. Tea gives us a moment to put it in perspective and aids in creating a receptive mind state that can take it all in.

Craving Sweets & Decadent Treats

There are plenty of vegan sweets out there, but they're not always close by when our sweet tooth is begging for some love. Most baked goods, candies, and sweets contain animal by-products like eggs, milk, and butter. This can be both a blessing and a curse.

Sometimes, the only options readily available contain creepy ingredients. There's no need to be jealous while your co-workers indulge in doughnuts or cookies; Tea can provide a healthful and delicious (and calorie-free) solution!

Many creative and indulgent flavors are available in the world of tea. A tea hits the spot when you're craving a hot chocolate or a cinnamon bun. These substitutions benefit the waistline, the animals, and cardiovascular health.

Brewing The Classic English-Style Tea

Black teas with milk are an absolute treat! The most common teas to pair with milk are breakfast teas, like Capital Breakfast or Irish Breakfast. A proper English-style cuppa' typically incorporates a splash of milk.

For these strong leaves, milk almost seems a necessary pairing. Much like we prefer to spike our coffee with creamer, breakfast teas do best with a little something creamy. Fortunately, with so many non-dairy alternatives readily available, we can play with our options and find a cruelty-free solution to a creamy craving!

Soy milk provides a nice, rich consistency and a sweetness that compliments the tannins in these darker teas well. Almond milk is a fair runner-up.

A Whole Latte Love

Tea lattes and mistos are super satisfying and delicious. Classic tea flavors like Masala (or "chai") and Earl Grey are revamped in these coffeehouse concoctions.

These teas do best with a thicker type of non-dairy milk. Oat or soymilk are the clear winners at frothing and getting a thick foam. However, any style of dairy-free milk will do the trick.

A caffeine-free and delicious treat is the new take on golden milk! One can easily make a green tea latte by adding matcha powder into milk as it froths. This will break up the powder and intersperse it into the milk as it heats. Make a concentrated brew of Turmeric Ginger tea and add to frothed milk. Yum!

Animal Products To Watch Out For

Although tea leaves -- and most fruits, roots, and herbs used for flavor -- are plant-based, there are occasional ingredients that are not. When purchasing teas, the decadent flavors are most likely to contain dairy.

Chocolate and white chocolate teas can contain milk fat in the chips. Butterscotch flavors and caramel could also include some dairy products to add to the creaminess of the brew.

Teas that contain colored candied pieces can also have carmine color, made from the cochineal beetle. Candied violets and other red or purple tones can sometimes contain this coloring. Check the ingredients listed for the candied pieces to be sure!

The other one to look out for is honey. Some fruits are coated with honey to add sweetness. This is not an exhaustive list. When purchasing teas, always check the ingredients. You can avoid many of these additives by purchasing teas that don't contain artificial dyes and flavors and choosing organic varieties.

Conscious Consumers Cultivate Happy Bodies And A Happy World!

Veganism is a rewarding lifestyle choice that takes responsibility for cultivating a healthier body and a healthier society. In a world where ingredients derived from animals can sneak their way into foods mysteriously, diligence and dedication become necessary.

Fortunately, natural products and plant-based delicacies are in abundance! Information, community, and food options are readily available. With modern convenience, eating a plant-based diet has never been easier.

Incorporating tea into a healthy vegan diet can provide energy, nutrients, and flavor to excite the palate further! Graze on, herbivores!