Is Coffee Vegan?

It’s interesting to me how much completely wrong information there is on vegan coffee out there. 

When coming up with information to write this article I kept seeing companies using deceptive marketing. It’s hard to know what’s true and what’s not. I saw many blogs trying to get you to buy products so they can acquire their affiliate marketing commissions. Usually products on Amazon… Which we all know under pay their employees and only make the richest man in the world richer..

Let’s take a transparent look at a few questions and go right to our source.

So we asked our broker who deals directly with our partner farms. Our broker says that if you wanted to claim your coffee is vegan then id suggest you make sure the farm is organic. But in reality all coffee should be vegan. He says while visiting the farms that we deal with in Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru that the families are doing very well with specialty coffee. He says that each family or Co-op has their preferred charity and each bag that our broker brings in for us has a anywhere from .5%-5% markup to go to charity at the point of trade/sale. He also mentioned that we can also find and support a charity as well which we’re now looking in to. We normally try to support grass roots athletes in the ABA. James has offered a grant to ABA athletes yearly since 2010. So we know that when we pay higher amounts for the coffee that the farmers prosper and the quality of coffee goes up. Children men and women are able to get education and healthcare.

We asked about the donkey we always see in the commercials of that “famous” brand

Our broker says that machinery and people are the norm for hauling the cherries these days. Though he says that pets and animals are on some farms. But says their for making wool (Alpaca in peru for instance)

What is Veganism?

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. 

The vegan lifestyle is about more than just avoiding animal products. It’s about choosing foods and products that are ethically sourced and created. It’s about living sustainably so our planet, animals, and humans can thrive together.

So what about coffee… 

Some bags of coffee are labeled Vegan.. are they a scam? (could be)

Marketing coffee beans is difficult, so some companies use less-than-honest tactics to make them sound special

It’s also true for vegan coffee.

There is no such thing as “vegan coffee” because, well, all coffee is vegan. Coffee beans are roasted seeds of a plant. There’s no animal involved from start to finish—not even animal by-products.

Can vegans drink coffee? The answer is always “Yes!” Should vegans drink any coffee? That answer is more complicated (more on this later).

Here’s what’s up… you don’t need to look for the phrase “100% vegan” on a coffee bag. You don’t even need to look for “vegan coffee” at all.

(But if you’re really invested in vegan values… keep reading. There’s more to the story).

Identify Vegan Milk & Creamers. (vegans know the drill)

Black coffee is considered vegan, but dairy-based milks and creamers are a no-go. 

(found this list and simply copied and pasted)

• Almond Milk — A classic nut milk with a thin and velvety body and a subtle nutty, semi-sweet flavor.

• Cashew Milk— Thin but super-creamy, this milk is especially great for steaming, is nutritionally dense, and has a hint of nutty flavor.

• Macadamia Milk — A somewhat surprising fruity subtlety is present in this thick and smooth nut milk. Definitely worth a try.

• Flax Seed Milk — This nutritious milk has an earthy-nutty tone that amplifies similar flavors in coffee. On the thin side, akin to cashew milk.

• Hemp Milk — Somewhat thin, yet still creamy, hemp milk has a slightly nutty flavor that’s very similar to almond milk.

• Oat Milk — Naturally sweeter and thicker than most vegan milks, so it’s no surprise it has become a barista favorite in recent years.

• Rice Milk — This light milk has a translucent appearance and a subtle-sweet flavor. It’s great for people who want to avoid nuts.

• Soy Milk — Soy milk is nutritionally dense, having almost as much protein as dairy milk. It’s creamy and balanced, though the flavor can vary from brand to brand.

• Coconut Milk — This plant-based milk is rich and creamy, but tends to have a distinct taste that can stand out. Some people love it, but it’s not for everyone.

• Pea Milk — Yes, it’s a thing! And it’s the most nutritious vegan milk of them all. Features a neutral flavor and a soy/almond milk consistency.

Typical natural versions of these milk are fine but, make sure that flavored versions don’t include animal by-products

Why Vegans Don’t Want To Buy Just Any Bag Of Coffee Beans…

So here’s the thing. Veganism is more than simply avoiding animal products.

It’s about living ethically, pursuing the good in products you buy. It’s about caring for our planet, for creatures, and humans in a way where we can all prosper together.

And that’s why not all coffees are vegan-friendly (even if they’re 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.

That’s why we were shocked to find low-quality, cheap coffee being labeled as “vegan” 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 don’t have the financial security to improve their farms to be more sustainable or ethical.

It’s why we need coffee charities that help farm workers access education and healthcare. And it’s 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.

By supporting farmers who want to make their coffee—and their communities—better, we’ve been able to encourage positive impact around the world.

Now that’s vegan-friendly coffee!

We’d love for you to join us.

When you join the Highwood Coffee Insiders Café,  you’re 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. We are grateful for our coffee partners. We hope that being apart of the network of positive individuals that the whole industry will grow towards farm to cup ideology. We find that our coffee is fresher and tastes better from farm to cup. Our main goal with Highwood coffee is to first reduce the carbon foot print of coffee while choosing sustainable growers while offering as much information possible to our clients on how to brew their best coffee at home.

Thanks for reading our take

J-JC