When it comes to living the vegan lifestyle, things can get a wee bit complicated. You might think that tea is a no-brainer vegan-friendly option — after all, what’s more natural than a steaming cup of herbal goodness?

The good news is that true teas and tisanes are typically vegan-friendly — but there are certain terms to keep an eye out for in ingredients that could indicate a non-vegan product.

Let’s take a closer look at what vegans need to know about tea. Read on for our quick guide to understanding which types of tea and tisanes are suitable for vegans.

True Teas & Tisanes

First off, it’s important to understand the difference between “true teas” and tisanes (or “herbal teas”).

True teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant and include popular varieties like green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea and pu-erh tea.

Tisanes are herbal infusions made with herbs other than the Camellia sinensis plant — think chamomile, rooibos or hibiscus — and they do not contain caffeine.

That being said, it’s always worth double checking the ingredients list as some brands may add non-vegan ingredients such as honey or dairy powder. If you’re unsure, contact the brand directly or look up reviews online to see what others have said about the product in question.

Terms To Look Out For in Ingredients

When reading an ingredients list on a packet of tea bags or loose-leaf tea, there are certain red-flag terms you should look out for that indicate the presence of animal products:

  • Creamy - This often indicates that dairy has been added to the product. Specifically, terms like lactose, milk powder, milk solids or cream can indicate the presence of dairy.
  • Artificial/Natural Flavors - While these could be plant-based flavors, they may also contain traces of animal products such as egg whites or collagen. It’s best to contact the manufacturer directly if you want further clarification on what exactly is included in their flavorings.
  • Honey - As honey is an animal product it may not be suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle.
  • Dyes/Colorings - Many artificial dyes and colorings contain carmine which is derived from crushed cochineal beetles. This means that your drink will be off-limits for any vegans who choose not to consume insect products. Again, it’s worth double-checking with manufacturers regarding specific ingredients used in their coloring/dyeing processes before consuming any questionable drinks.
  • Caramel - Unless an artificial flavoring,  caramel can often be a source of dairy as it is usually made with dairy products.

Final Thoughts

All in all, if you’re looking for vegan options when it comes to drinking tea, true teas and tisanes are great places to start!

With a little bit of research and attention to detail, it’s easy to determine whether your favorite cup of tea is indeed vegan-friendly!

As long as you know which terms to look out for and take the time to read through the ingredients list carefully, you can easily find delicious vegan teas without worrying about accidentally consuming any animal products! Happy sipping!