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The vegan lifestyle is not an easy one. Making conscious choices with not just food but every aspect of consumption from accessories to clothing, and home decor to stationery can seem a bit daunting. But vegans do it with pleasure. For them the choices are based in compassion for all the species other than our own; that find themselves tortured and exploited by us.
The Vegan Society was founded in 1944, but the practice of avoiding animal-based products can be traced way back to 500BCE when Pythagoras, the Greek philospher and mathematician promoted benevolence among all species. Around the same time Gautam Buddha had started discussing vegetarian diets with his followers as well. Centuries later, Founder of The Vegan Society and animals rights advocate, Donald Watson held a meeting with 5 other non-dairy vegetarians to discuss this lifestyle and coined the term 'vegan' created from the "beginning and end of vegetarian". This gave the community a name and actualized it.
The official definition of veganism is, "a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment."
Today, with the threats of climate change, veganism has become a socio-political movement and a widely adapted practice not just for health reasons but to also curb greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment. Although this way of life has gathered some opposition, the myth that veganism limits your choices is starting to disappear. Vegans continue to educate the masses about the benefits of plant-based choices, the fashion industry has adopted the practice and the culinary world has also been revolutionized by it.
It's World Vegan Day today so in the spirit, we thought we'd curate a list of homegrown vegan food and beverage brands for you to choose from.
I. The Whole Truth
The founder of this brand, Shashank calls himself an "obese kid and fit adult". He began his fitness journey 15 years ago which led him to research about healthy dietary choices. He believes that good food comes from good ingredients which is also the mantra of his brand. The Whole Truth prides on being fully transparent about their ingredients and being free from artificial sugars, preservatives and chemicals that are often hidden in so-called healthy products under the fine print. They have an assortment of chocolates, nut butters, muesli and protein bars to choose from.
You can find them here.
II. Jus' Amazing
Jus Amazin is committed to providing delicious, nutritious, 100% Plant-based foods that are completely natural and cater to the nutritious needs of people across all ages. The brand combines high-quality ingredients to provide products that are rich in macro and micro-nutrients as well as flavour. They use nature’s most nutritious gifts: nuts, seeds, legumes, millets and other plant-based ingredients to provide you with wholesome nutrition. They also take allergies seriously and all their products are dairy, gluten and soy free. You can find almond milk, gluten-free flour, cashew and almond butters, desserts, drinks and sauces on their website.
Check the out here.
III. Soft Spot
Cheese is no longer out of option for vegans. With Soft Spot's cheeses developed to give you the aroma, texture and flavour of dairy cheese but with 100% plant-based, non-GMO and allergen-free ingredients, you can still bite into a hot grilled cheese sandwich or a pizza without having to worry about your health or ethics. Soft Spot respects the art of making cheese and the flavours it takes years to develop. They work hard on giving you the same complex flavour with notes of nuttiness, tanginess, umami and sweet milkiness amongst hundreds of other flavour notes found in the beloved world of cheese. Choose from their Truffle spread, Smoked Cheese, Mozarella, Cheddar and Parmesan options.
Find them here.
IV. Imagine Meats
This brand offers you the opportunity to enjoy meats without the guilt. With Imagine Meats, you can forget about the cholesterol, animal fat and hormones and enjoy the same desi recipes and delicacies full of flavours. For the founders, Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh, it's "all about the meat-cute." The Bollywood couple turned vegan 3 years ago and are a fan of the lifestyle. “Our energy levels while working out are much higher compared to when we were non-vegetarian. It feels like the body has more oxygen,” Riteish shares. Their Brand offers you a wide range of meat options like Butter Chicken, Chiken Tikka Masala, Spiced Sausage, Chettinad Biryani and Afghani Biryani.
Check them out here.
V. Urban Platter
Urban Platter is the ultimate vegan paradise. It's a one-stop-shop for all your plant-based culinary and baking needs. Their products are divided into sections like Alternatives: for your plant-based meat and dairy options, Beverages: with unique and flavourful teas, coffees and kombucha, Culinary Speciality: for mushrooms, noodles and even a vegan sushi kit, Breakfast: for jams and cereals, Dry Fruits: for nuts and seeds, and Super Foods: for powders and berries.
Check them out here.
VI. One Good
Formerly known as Goodmylk, One Good is a plant-based company from Bengaluru. In 2016, at an animal rights awareness campaign, someone told Abhay Rangan, a 19-year-old vegan activist, '"vegan alternatives are expensive, and so I don't want to be vegan". This was impetus enough for Abhay to have a conversation with his family, who were also passionate vegans and start One Good. Their extensive collection of plant-based products include milks and curds, spreads, dips, and butters, cheese and paneer, chocolates and plant-based multivitamins. You can also find some mouth-watering vegan recipes on their website.
Find them here.
VII. White Cub
Named after Linda Tucker, involved in the protection of white cubs and their families, from the cruel practices of ‘canned hunting’, in East Africa, White Cub is India’s first cholesterol free, trans fat free and certified dairy-free ice cream brand. They believe that being dairy-free goes beyond deliciousness & they strive to do so with compassion. You can find vegan spreads, curds, butters, beverages, and cookies at their website along with plant-based ice creams that come in flavours like Almond Coffee, Banarasi Paan, Coconut Frenzy and more.
Find them here.
VIII. GoodDot
GoodDot was born with a group of friends who wanted to make the world a more humane place for animals. Having witnessed the unbelievable cruelty involved in animal agriculture, they decided to create a solution that was good for all. GoodDot believes that the main reason why most people eat meat is its taste. If a product could be created that not only tasted like meat but was an ethical, healthier, and environmentally sustainable alternative to animal meat, people would happily make the switch. Hence, the brand has prepared its 'kits' like Eggless Bhurji, Unmutton Dhaba Curry, Vegicken Chunks in Brine and more that combine the flavours of traditional meat with plant-based ingredients.
Check them out here.
IX. Evo Foods
If you are looking for vegan food brands in India for Plant-based eggs this brand has got your back. The Mumbai-based company was founded by Kartik Dixit and Shradhha Bhansali in 2019. Evo Foods makes liquid eggs from legumes. These products are a great source for vegetable protein and made with the vision of a planet-friendly, animal-friendly and vegan-friendly food market. On their website, you can find plant-based egg cubes and patties in original and peri-peri flavours. You can find tutorials on using the product and some recipes as well.
Check them out here.
X. Ambriona
To end the list with some dessert, Ambriona is an Indian vegan chocolate brand that prioritizes health & therefore offer products made with clean & natural ingredients.. The team at Ambriona understands that each individual has a different body type & therefore have unique dietary requirements to optimize their health needs. So they cater to the varied dietary needs of their customers and offer a perfect balance of health & indulgence through each of their products like Dark Chocolate with Mint, Strawberry, Espresso, Almonds, and Hazelnuts and much more.
Check them out here.
