Itâs amazing how much completely wrong information there is on vegan coffee out there.Â
Companies using deceptive marketing. Blogs trying to get you to buy weird products so they can get a commission. Itâs hard to know whatâs true and whatâs not.
Letâs take an honest, transparent look at a few questions.
- Can vegans drink coffee?
- Are there some kinds of coffee vegans shouldnât drink?
- What about vegan coffee creamers?
Weâll answer these, but first, letâs be clear about a couple of things.
Veganism is the practice of not using or eating animal products, or products created by using animal products. Essentially, no animals are allowed in manufacturing.Â
The vegan lifestyle is about more than just avoiding animal products. Itâs about choosing foods and products that are ethically sourced and created. Itâs about living sustainably so our planet, animals, and humans can thrive together.
So letâs talk about vegan coffeeâŠÂ
Beans Marketed As Vegan Coffee Are⊠A Scam (Sort Of)
Marketing coffee beans is hard, so some companies use less-than-honest tactics to make them sound special (see our post on the weight loss coffee scam).
Itâs also true for vegan coffee.
There is no such thing as âvegan coffeeâ because, well, all coffee is vegan. Coffee beans are roasted seeds of a plant. Thereâs no animal involved from start to finishânot even animal by-products.
Can vegans drink coffee? The answer is always âYes!â Should vegans drink any coffee? That answer is more complicated (more on this later).
But, of course, you canât trust everything you read on the internet.
For example, we Googled âvegan coffeeâ and found this gem on the first pageâŠÂ
Yikes!Â
(Can you guess what phrase is big and bold on that companyâs coffee bag?)
Hereâs whatâs up⊠you donât need to look for the phrase â100% veganâ on a coffee bag. You donât even need to look for âvegan coffeeâ at all.
Just enjoy your regular coffeeâitâs 100% vegan 100% of the time.
(But if youâre really invested in vegan values⊠keep reading. Thereâs more to the story).
Read: Searching For Certified Organic Coffee - Is It Worth It?
How To Identify Vegan Coffee Creamers And Milks
Black coffee is always vegan, but dairy-based milks and creamers are a no-go.Â
So instead of reaching for the rich 2% or classic coffee creamer, try one of these plant-based alternatives.
- Almond Milk â A classic nut milk with a thin and velvety body and a subtle nutty, semi-sweet flavor.
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- Cashew Milkâ Thin but super-creamy, this milk is especially great for steaming, is nutritionally dense, and has a hint of nutty flavor.
- Macadamia Milk â A somewhat surprising fruity subtlety is present in this thick and smooth nut milk. Definitely worth a try.
- Flax Seed Milk â This nutritious milk has an earthy-nutty tone that amplifies similar flavors in coffee. On the thin side, akin to cashew milk.
- Hemp Milk â Somewhat thin, yet still creamy, hemp milk has a slightly nutty flavor thatâs very similar to almond milk.
- Oat Milk â Naturally sweeter and thicker than most vegan milks, so itâs no surprise it has become a barista favorite in recent years.
- Rice Milk â This light milk has a translucent appearance and a subtle-sweet flavor. Itâs great for people who want to avoid nuts.
- Soy Milk â Soy milk is nutritionally dense, having almost as much protein as dairy milk. Itâs creamy and balanced, though the flavor can vary from brand to brand.
- Coconut Milk â This plant-based milk is rich and creamy, but tends to have a distinct taste that can stand out. Some people love it, but itâs not for everyone.
- Pea Milk â Yes, itâs a thing! And itâs the most nutritious vegan milk of them all. Features a neutral flavor and a soy/almond milk consistency.
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Read: Fair Trade VS Direct Trade Coffee: Which Is Better For Coffee Sustainability?
Any of these vegan milk alternatives is safe to use in their most basic versionâjust make sure that flavored versions (chocolate or caramel, for example) donât include animal by-products (uncommon, but does happen).
As long as youâre going with a plant-based milk or creamer, you really have nothing to worry about.
Why Vegans Donât Want To Buy Any Bag Of Coffee Beans
So hereâs the thing. Veganism is more than simply avoiding animal products.
Itâs about living ethically, pursuing the good in products you buy. Itâs about caring for our planet, for creatures, and humans in a way where we can all prosper together.
And thatâs why not all coffees are vegan-friendly (even if theyâre all technically vegan).
Coffee beans that are grown with harmful chemical pesticides, damage natural ecosystems, and sold at such a low price that they leave their farmers in poverty do not align with vegan values.
Read: 3 Reasons Buying Cheap Coffee Is Bad For The World
Thatâs why we were shocked to find low-quality, cheap coffee being labeled as âveganâ when we were looking around Google.
Cheap coffee (under $14 per bag or so, usually from the grocery store) keeps coffee farmers from turning a profit, which means they donât have the financial security to improve their farms to be more sustainable or ethical.
Itâs why we need coffee charities that help farm workers access education and healthcare. And itâs why we need ethical coffee roasters who give back to their farm partners.
Coffee that is truly vegan-friendly will support ethical supply chains that empower farmers to support themselves.
Thatâs what weâre doing at JavaPresse. The stories are stunning.Â
Some of our farmers in Colombia used to grow cocaine but wanted out of the drug tradeânow they earn more growing coffee. The first all-women cooperative in Guatemala was able to pay for womenâs healthcare (which is very unusual in the rural countryside).
By supporting farmers who want to make their coffeeâand their communitiesâbetter, weâve been able to encourage positive impact around the world.
Now thatâs vegan-friendly coffee!
And weâd love for you to join us.
When you join the JavaPresse Coffee Club, youâre going to taste beans from farmers who not only love coffee, but the Earth too. Sustainable coffee growing means a healthier planet, better wages, and happier farmers.
And when farmers are free to put their whole hearts into their beans, the results taste magical.Â