supermarket

Tempting tofu and tempeh

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Do you enjoy cooking with tempeh and tofu? What about taro? Do you use a lot of bean curd skins in your kitchen? If yes is your answer, you will adore this supermarket in central London brimming with ingredients from Korea, Thailand, Japan and countries across Asia.

On a recent ramble along Queensway, a bustling street springing from the northern side of Hyde Park, I was delighted to see a shop front emblazoned with the words Oriental Supermarket. Well, I was delighted by the idea of the food inside but slightly confronted by the use of the word oriental. It always strikes me as an old-fashioned term used to frame entire cultures as mysterious and intoxicating.

But you didn’t come here for pseudo-sociology, so let me crack on with vegan food talk.

Oriental Supermarket (and a Costcutter!)
Oriental Supermarket (and a Costcutter!)

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Who knows or cares what an imitation is?

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Guest post time again. Josh is super excited about a new range of vegan products that are changing the shape of high street shopping and he really wants you to know.

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It’s a vegan revolution – no really!

Tesco supermarkets across the UK are now stocking a range of vegan foods under their own branding.  If you had told me 12 months ago that my local supermarket would shortly be stocking their own range of melting cheeses, cream cheeses, yoghurts, creme caramel etc. all labelled as vegan, I wouldn’t have believed you.  Are you as amazed as I am?  I think it’s revolutionary that a high street supermarket would be pushing an entirely vegan range of milks, cheeses, yoghurts etc. and giving up a whole bay in their dairy aisle to display them.

Vegan dairy case at Tesco

I think one of the main challenges for people including more plant-based foods in their diet is availability.  Of course most vegans are used to shopping around and getting their groceries from a variety of sources (supermarkets, Holland & Barrett, independent stores, online etc.) but I know a lot of people prefer to do one weekly shop at the supermarket, so this could be a real game-changer.

Now down to business… here’s a summary of what’s on the shelf:

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Magical sneaky snack time

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As I reported a few months ago, the grocery store chain Co-operative is a market leader in labelling cruelty-free products. What many other high street food retailers are now just doing, Co-operative has been doing well for over a decade.

You can buy all manner of food and household products that are suitable for vegan shoppers within their walls. Even though they are being overtaken by other supermarket giants for vegan food availability, Co-operative will always hold a special place in my heart for their inclusive practice.

And just when I thought I couldn’t be more loved up with the grocery store, I discover delectable frozen onion rings that have taken my life by storm. Check out my new favourite snack coupled with one of the best vegan mayos on the market.

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Sweet and spicy

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One of the things I adore about living in London is the vast array of food readily available.

The city is such a remarkable melting pot of cultures and this is reflected in the styles of cuisine on offer. Vegans can dine on Indian food, pizza, Palestinian falafel, Chinese-inspired dishes and even cruelty-free cupcakes. But you don’t need to dine out to dip into this diversity. Supermarkets and grocery stores all over the capital reflect the eclectic population and vegan shoppers can take advantage of it.

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I find another beauty mark with every glass of red wine

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I wanted to write a post with a long title and a short story.

Vegan red wine is available at UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s in a plastic bottle. This pleases me immensely. The Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious and ridiculously inexpensive.

Over and out.

Vegan red wine by the plastic bottle

Hammersmith and hungry?

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If you find yourself walking the streets of Hammersmith (it happens, yes?) with a rumble in your belly, take the time to visit the good folk of Bushwacker Wholefoods.

Bushwacker Wholefoods in Hammersmith, West London

Bushwacker is a quaint, packed-to-the-rafters convenience store with a difference. This long-standing King Street resident has a focus on Fair Trade and organic fare. Their shelves are liberally stocked with a huge range of products, many of which are suitable for the discerning vegan shopper. From vitamins, hair care and toothpaste to sandwiches, organic soda and vegan ice cream, there is plenty of everything in store to ensure you drop a few Great British pounds during a visit.

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You’d better run egg

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As an atheist I don’t partake in rituals, rites or celebrations based on religious beliefs. But I’m certainly not going to let a little non-belief get in my way of a vegan Easter egg.

Gromit the cat saunters by my vegan egg

Whilst trolling around Sainsbury’s supermarket on Cromwell Road in London for a snack, I stumbled upon a delectable-looking treat in the section reserved for food allergies and specialist diets. The freefrom Easter egg stood tall on the top shelf and beckoned me with its yellow wrapping, shiny bow and cheeky swing tag advertising its vegan status. I was so taken by the snappy appearance of this seasonal snack that I was on the verge of offering to buy it a drink. Gift-wrapped, vegan chocolate doesn’t fall into my FGV lap everyday, so I barely hesitated as I swooped it up and deposited it into my shopping basket.

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Cheesy beefy bagel glory

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Is there a more pleasing bread product than a bagel? You can’t go wrong with something chewy, doughy and simple that can be held in one hand.

During my first visit to New York City many years ago, I was staggered by the huge range of bagels on offer. No matter the neighbourhood, there were stores and bakeries everywhere I turned baking and selling bagels. Unfortunately for FGV me, many establishments weren’t forward about their ingredients and I wasn’t familiar with bagels enough to know what was vegan or why they might not be animal-product free. Growing up in suburban Australia meant I existed in a bagel-free zone during my formative years. My bagel-curious nature is only now being satisfied thanks to a fabulous company here in the UK.

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I’m out of this world and I’m never comin’ back

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Have you got a favourite retail outlet when it comes to vegan groceries? Somewhere that never lets you down and always ensures your basket is well-stocked? Me too.

Out Of This World health foods in Leeds

Out Of This World is a small, comprehensive grocery store located in Leeds city centre. This ethically-minded outlet dedicates shelf upon shelf to products free of non-human animals as well as vegetarian specialties and organic, fair trade goods. If you want a few slices of pig-free bacon or a couple of vegan cupcakes to see you through a chilly northern afternoon, Out Of This World is the place to shop. You can snap up vitamins, shampoo, vegan fudge, cider, organic wine and so much more.

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