London can you wait?

London shop selling vegan product that isn’t actually vegan?

by

What’s not cool?

When a company sells something as vegan when it isn’t really vegan.

One of my readers recently reached out to me with some information about Doughtnut Time in London selling a DIY vegan donut kit that included non-vegan ingredients.

The reader pushed Doughnut Time for clarification on the vegan status of this kit and this is what they found out:

I recently noticed that Doughnut Time were selling a vegan DIY donut kit which included Cookie Crisp cereal. As you know, most mainstream breakfast cereals are not vegan due to the vitamin D being derived from lambs wool. I contacted Doughnut Time to let them know this but they didn’t understand and said they looked at the ingredients and said there were no ‘active’ animal ingredients.

I then contacted Nestle to double check to make sure I was not wrong and they confirmed to me that the Cookie Crisp cereal is not vegan as it contains vitamin D derived from lambs wool. (They were actually very helpful and we’re able to tell me this immediately).

I then went back to Doughnut Time to let them know that Nestle confirmed to me that the product is not vegan because of the vitamin D.

They asked me to send them the correspondence between myself and Nestle, which I did. I also let them know that they could contact Nestle themselves to confirm. I advised them to stop selling the product or at least remove the Cookie Crisp as this is misleading to vegans.

They did not respond after this, however they are still selling the product labelled as vegan. They have added to the list of Cookie Crisp ingredients: ‘contains vitamin D’. This of course is not a resolution to the problem as they are still labelling a non-vegan product as vegan.

Since I was alerted by my reader, Doughnut Time has taken off a line in the item description that explicitly stated this kit was all-vegan. However, it still carries the (vg) label.

It also now features a disclaimer that the product contains vitamin D.

This blog post is just a heads up for anyone who has been confused by the labelling and marketing of the kit. It isn’t vegan now and has never been vegan.

As a company that markets a lot of products at vegans, it would be helpful if Doughnut Time had complete transparency and tell people they messed up.

A clear disclaimer on the product page that it isn’t suitable for vegans would also be the very lest they could do.

You can visit the Doughnut Time website online here.

Vegan ice cream made with coconut milk

by

Apparently their is another heatwave coming for this weekend in London, so you probably should know about this vegan ice cream option in Angel.

Launched this summer by Copperhouse Chocolate, the rich and smooth ice creams are coconut milk-based. In even more tempting news, the chocolate ice creams on the menu are flavoured with their very own Copperhouse Chocolate drinking chocolate mixes.

That’s right, London. You have a vegan chocolate shop. You knew this, right?

Exclusively available in the Copperhouse Chocolate cafe in Angel, you can have a scoop with a brownie or waffles, try a milkshake, or they can fill a take-home tub for you.

Mint Chocolate ice cream, made using their Mintchievous Hot Chocolate, is one of the most favourite flavours for milkshakes. Other rotating flavours include Coffee Caramel, made with Monmouth Coffee and swirled with Coconut Salted Caramel, and Raspberry Chocolate made with Raspberry Dream hot chocolate and swirled with a homemade raspberry puree.

It all sounds fabulous!

You can see the exact location of Copperhouse Chocolate thanks to Google Maps.

You can follow Copperhouse Chocolate on Instagram.

Buy vegan ramen sauce

by

Itadaki Zen is a unassuming legend on the London vegan scene.

Not a lot of people know there is a vegan Japanese restaurant just a few minutes walking from Kings Cross Station, but the people who do know are unwavering fans.

Jump on any review site and the comments are almost universally glowing.

You can follow the restaurant on Instagram to stay updated with their food adventures.

But I’m not here today to simply remind you about the legendary vegan restaurant, I’m really here to let you know about a product they are selling that I think you will love.

Itadaki Zen is now selling jars of ramen sauce and you can order for delivery or buy in person!

You can choose from the miso based sauce or the spicy version. I was extremely fortunate to have been sent one of each by the restaurant and I am excited to try.

I adore ramen and I’m happy to have the gruelling broth process taken care of by Itadaki Zen. These sauces look simple to use and are packed solid with tasty ingredients such as ginger, garlic, dates, and sesame oil (plus lots more!).

You can buy these ramen sauces from the Itadaki Zen online shop, or from Natural Natural supermarkets around London.

Eco friendly shop in London

by

Guess what?

There is a new low waste store in the Holloway area of London.

Guess what, again?

It is called Kilo.

Guess what for the final time?

They sell frozen pies by Young Vegans and frozen vegan chicken meals by Marli’s Kitchen. Yes, you can buy take home frozen vegan food from two of London’s most-celebrated businesses.

The store is not vegan (boo) but they do have a WHOLE BUNCH of vegan suitable lines (yay).

You can pop in for bulk buy pantry items, fruit, vegetables, and even pasta… and don’t forget the vegan pies and chicken!

Follow Kilo on Instagram and check out their website.

Check out the exact location of Kilo thanks to Google Maps.

Kebabs at Arancini Brothers

by

It’s no secret that I adore the food of Arancini Brothers.

The vegan food chain in London are one of the best places to get consistently great (and tasty!) food around the UK capital.

Their arancini-based burgers are exquisite and they serve up what are probably my favourite fries in the country, so I am intrigued by the latest addition to the Arancini Brothers menu.

Say hello to skewer kebabs!

The kebabs are available at the Kentish Town, Dalston, and Maltby Street locations with delivery of the new items on the apps from next week.

Choose from two flavours: Lemon Herb Chick’n or Spicy Chick’n.

Both are served with paprika fries, fresh cut salad, risotto balls, eggplant sauce, and the special Arancini Brothers mayo. A plate with two skewers is priced at £7.95 while three skewers will set you back £9.45.

Yay for kebabs!

Follow Arancini Brothers on Instagram.

What The Pitta go south of the river!

by

Have you ever been hanging out in the Battersea region of London and thought, “Gee, I’d love some What The Pitta food right about now”?

Well, guess what?

What The Pitta has a delivery kitchen that has just opened in Battersea!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDW0CwiJcie/

Opened from Saturday August 1, 2020, the Battersea kitchen from the winner of the Kebab Awards 2020 for Best London Takeaway will be open Monday-Thursday 5pm-10pm and Fri-Sun 12pm-10pm.

The Battersea kitchen from What The Pitta will be delivering exclusively via Deliveroo and the map below shows the delivery radius.

As you can see, large parts of Brixton, Kennington, Vauxhall, Balham, Wandsworth, and Clapham are serviced by the new Battersea kitchen.

Extra note: What The Pitta will be opening in Manchester in January!

Follow What The Pitta on Instagram.

Young Vegans pie shop London closing

by

2020 has been an indisputably tough year for everyone and nobody knows this better than independent vegan businesses.

And the latest news to back this up?

News broke yesterday of legendary London food hot spot Young Vegans Pie Shop closing in Camden.

Cue a flood of tears.

Young Vegans Pie Shop was the pride of its owners, Carla and Marco.

For anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting these enterprising vegans, Carla and Marco are not just a force of nature when it comes to business but also two of the nicest people on the London vegan scene.

Young Vegans pies were always the star attraction when they appeared at Hackney Downs Vegan Market and their Camden Pie Shop was a magnet for plant-based eaters from all over the planet.

I reached out to Carla to ask for her to clarify exactly why her Pie Shop in Camden Market is closing and she said:

Our Pie Shop in Camden Market was great as it allowed us to learn a lot and grow our brand. But with uncertainty around COVID it makes sense for us to pivot and focus on expanding our online store and to make Young Vegans a household food brand.

As sad as we are for the Young Vegans Pie Shop to disappear, we can celebrate the fact that we can still buy their delicious pies via their online store.

Click here to shop for Young Vegans pies for UK delivery and be sure to follow them on Instagram to stay updated on future plans.

Virtual vegan cheese making class

by

This Saturday 11th July, 2020 between 4pm and 6pm, you can join Made In Hackney for an online vegan cheese making class.

The suggested donation for the class is £20 but any donation amounts will be accepted accepted. All money raised will be used to provide free healthy eating cookery classes for community groups across London.  

The class will take place via Zoom with details being provided via email (usually the day before the class).

Buy a ticket online!

The Event

Let vegan cheese producer Bruna Oliveira show you how to whip up a quick, easy and delicious cheesey dish from 100% plant-based ingredients. You’ll also discover how to create the amazing textures, flavours and health benefits of raw, fermented nut cheese.

In this class you will learn how to make:

  • A quick, easy and nutritious Vegan Parmesan 
  • A delicious Plant Powered Mac n Cheese
  • A gorgeous Fermented Almond Ricotta with herbs (ready to eat within 48 hours)

About Bruna

Bruna Oliveira is the founder of London Nut Cheese Co and studied Naturopathy and Naturopathic Nutrition at CNM London in order to pursue her passion for healthy and natural living. Bruna loves creating delicious recipes with the aim of inspiring people to transform their lives through making positive changes in their diet. 

Fee: Suggested donation £20 but any donation amounts accepted. All money raised will be used to provide free healthy eating cookery classes for community groups across the capital.  

INGREDIENTS LIST

  • 300g ground almonds 
  • 300g blanched almonds (or otherwise cashew nuts or sunflower seeds, but bear in mind sunflower seeds have quite a strong flavour)
  • 1 pot nutritional yeast 
  •  15g garlic powder (or otherwise fresh garlic to taste)
  • Sea salt
  • Dried oregano 
  • Whole grain or gluten free pasta (like penne)
  • ½ head broccoli 
  • ½ head cauliflower 
  • 200g raw cashew nuts (whole or pieces) 
  • 500ml plant based milk 
  • 50g tapioca flour (or cornflour)
  • 1 small jar roasted red peppers (or use tomato paste to add flavour)
  • 30ml olive oil 
  • 15ml miso paste (optional)
  • 1 lemon 
  • 10g mustard powder (or use regular mustard)
  • 10g onion powder 
  • 5g smoked paprika
  • 15ml apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1 clove garlic 
  • 1 vegan probiotic capsule (any vegan probiotic capsule with at least 1 billion CFU. If your capsules contain less you can use 2 capsules instead of one). 
  • 1/2 bunch parsley (optional)

EQUIPMENT LIST

  • 2 medium bowls
  • 1 small bowl 
  • Blender
  • Cooking pot (large)
  • Pyrex dish (large)
  • Sieve
  • Muslin cloth/nut milk bag/cheesecloth
  • Measuring spoons and cups

Click here to discover more info about the class and Made In Hackney.

New vegan grocery delivery for Europe

by

Will’s Vegan Store is already famous for making and selling cruelty free footwear, as well as ethical clothing.

And they have now introduced their new Grocery Box in order to make good quality, sustainable vegan food available to more people.

⚪All your vegan essentials delivered to your door
⚪Quick & easy delivery to UK & Europe
⚪Simple fair prices – check them out!
⚪Add as many different items as you like (10 items min)
⚪Delivered to you through their plastic free carbon neutral supply chain
⚪Zero food waste, working with local food banks

There are almost 1000 different products to fill your box up with, from the Mr Organic range to sacks of organic British quinoa.

Choose from your favourite brands and discover the new names, co-operatives and farms Will is introducing to you. You can even save your favourite products for easy re-order.

Will’s Vegan Store has ability to deliver parcels across the UK and Europe.

There is free shipping for Blue Light Card holders, just visit their website and search Will’s Vegan Store for your code.

Click here to shop now.

Follow Will’s on Instagram.

Order vegan pantry boxes in London

by

MOTHER launches organic, plastic-free groceries + homemade produce boxes for delivery across East London

Hackney Wick-based MOTHER has continued to serve customers during isolation via a takeaway and collection hatch plus delivery via Deliveroo and UberEats. 

To ensure that the local community can enjoy organic, sustainable and ethically-sourced produce at home MOTHER has now launched plastic-free boxes of pantry goods, expanding on the current range available in their zero waste store.

The essentials box (£35) features organic oats, pasta, lentils, rice, flour, tinned goods such as chickpeas and tomatoes, sourdough, ManiLife peanut butter, homemade pesto, bananas and more.

The deluxe box (£85) features all of the above plus quinoa, chia seeds, cashews, almonds, avocados, kombucha, granola, homemade produce including carrot salmon, plant-based cream cheese, cold pressed juices, brownies and much more. 

You can also add a coffee lovers pack (£8.50) of Machina Vox Pop blend and Oatly barista mylk to make the perfect flat white or cappuccino at home.

MOTHER is also working with their vegetable supplier to provide organic UK-grown veg boxes direct to customers doors. The boxes feature a range of UK-grown, seasonal vegetables and apples (£12.50 – £20).

Both the coffee lovers pack and veg box can be added to either pantry box for a reduced rate.

All pantry and veg boxes come with recipes written by MOTHER’s head chef Tarryn, showing how best to use store cupboard essentials during isolation. 

We want to use this time to help educate people about sourcing seasonally and ethically and how to cook from scratch – for their own health, and the wealth of the planet.

Delivery is available across east London, with the radius expanding if there is demand. More information available online at mother.works.