We all love a sweet treat now and again, but it’s a much more challenging experience if you are a vegan. A lot of tasty foods are unsuitable because they contain animal products, and figuring out which you can and can’t have is often a frustrating process. Have you ever wondered whether hot chocolate powder is vegan?
Annoyingly, there is no simple answer to this question. Some hot chocolate powders are vegan, while others are not. You will have to look at the ingredients list. Key problematic ingredients to watch out for include things like casein, whey, and milk powder. You can also choose plain cocoa powder, which should be completely safe for vegans.
It’s annoying to have to check every product you buy, so we’ll make your hot chocolate powder search easier by listing some of the common problematic ingredients you need to look out for, and discussing some of the most popular vegan brands.
Can Vegans Have Hot Chocolate Powder?
The answer to this is very much dependent on the brand; some kinds of hot chocolate powder are suitable for vegans, while others are not. You should always check the ingredients list, even if you have bought the brand before, to make sure you don’t accidentally buy an unsuitable hot chocolate powder if an ingredient has been changed.
There are quite a few ingredients that can be unsuitable for vegans in hot chocolate powder. Many manufacturers add milk-based products to make their hot chocolate powder creamier, and these are obviously not okay for vegans to consume.
Some of the most common ingredients you should look out for are:
- Casein
- Milk powder
- Whey
- Whey permeate
- Lactose
- Milk proteins
- Milk fat
- Milk lecithin
- Skim milk
- White sugar
That’s quite a long list, and you should check for all of those (plus anything else you see with “milk” in its name). The last one might surprise you, because sugar is technically vegan – but not all vegans consume white sugar, as it is a somewhat controversial ingredient.
This is because a lot of white sugar is processed with bone char, which is obviously not vegan-friendly. Not all white sugar has been treated in this way, but unfortunately, it’s rare to see it labeled accordingly in the United States at the moment – so it’s safest to completely avoid it if you can.
Is Cocoa Powder Vegan?
The most straightforward way to enjoy vegan hot chocolate is to use cocoa powder, rather than hot chocolate powder. Hot chocolate powder often has milk, milk derivatives, and sugar added to it so you only need to add hot water. That’s certainly convenient, but if you’re a vegan, it’s also often problematic for the reasons listed above.
If you can instead use cocoa powder, you can add your own sugar (or another sweetener) and ensure you are satisfied with where it has come from. You can also decide what sort of milk is added to make your hot chocolate creamy and delicious.
There are many different options here, but a lot of people like to use oat milk or hazelnut milk. Hazelnut, in particular, will pair well with the sweet chocolate flavor and give you a drink reminiscent of Nutella.
You can use other plant-based milks if you prefer. Some people love the taste of almond milk, while others prefer soy. To turn cocoa powder into hot chocolate, simply heat your milk in a pot or the microwave, and then mix a small amount with the cocoa powder, following the manufacturer’s directions. Top it up with the rest of the hot milk, and add sweetener to taste.
What Brands Of Hot Chocolate Are Vegan?
If you’d rather just buy a ready-mixed hot chocolate powder, you can do so; there are plenty of options. For example, Coconut Cloud Vegan Cocoa is an excellent choice, containing coconut cream instead of dairy. It’s also gluten-free and soy-free, making it ideal if you have other dietary restrictions.
If that doesn’t appeal, consider Public Goods Hot Cocoa Mix, which claims to be all natural and which will make a delicious, creamy cup of hot chocolate when mixed with a suitable plant-based milk.
Theo Drinking Chocolate is also an option, containing crumbs of organic dark chocolate to mix with plant-based milk.
Alternatively, check out Lake Champlain Traditional Organic Hot Chocolate, or Castle Kitchen Double Dutch Dark Chocolate. Any of these should be delicious, and they are all certified as vegan.
Conclusion
Hot chocolate powder is often not suitable for vegans because many manufacturers include milk-based products such as casein, whey, lactose, and milk fat. However, there are vegan options available, and you can also purchase cocoa powder and mix this with a plant-based milk of your choice for a delicious, sweet drink that you can enjoy guilt-free.
