Our Favourite Plant-Based Picks From South African Grocery Shops
Wednesday, 8 March marked World Plant Power Day, and offered the perfect opportunity to dip your toe into the plant-based lifestyle. With its aim to encourage everyone to incorporate plant-based foods into their food and drink choices, at least for one day.
But, we don’t have to wait for World Plant Power Day to roll around again next year to celebrate plant-based choices. It’s easy to take part in your own Plant Power Day any day of the year. Whether you start your day with a smoothie or host a ‘planquet’ — a meal that puts plants first — making vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, pulses, legumes, nuts and seeds the star of the show, you’ll help celebrate the benefits of plant-based foods.
In honour of World Plant Power Day we’ve put together a few of our favourite plant-based products you’ll find on South Africa’s groceries shelves.
Nescafé Gold Plant-Based Lattes
Nestlé’s premium Nescafé Gold plant-based lattes are ideal for vegans and lactose-intolerant coffee fans looking for a quick coffee solution on the go. Crafted with plant-based ingredients, these new non-dairy coffee lattes are the ideal alternative to traditional instant coffee lattes. Made using a blend of the highest quality Arabica and Robusta coffee beans with almond, oat or coconut milk, the new soluble latte range promises a smooth and creamy warm drink while being vegan-friendly and dairy-free.
The one-cup soluble cappuccino treat is sure to be a go-to for anyone who does not consume dairy products. Enjoy a premium, frothy cappuccino experience at home, at work, or on-the-go with these easy-to-use sachets — just add water!
Nomu Sweetly
There are many sugar substitutes on the market but this plant-based offering from local producer Nomu is arguably one of the best yet. A great choice for anyone looking for an alternative to sugar, Nomu’s Sweetly looks and feels like granulated sugar but doesn’t leave a bitter after taste in your mouth like many other sweeteners.
Ideal for diabetics, or those wanting to monitor their sugar intake, the low-kilojoule granulated sugar alternative can be used to sweeten your coffee, cereal, home bakes, iced drinks, and desserts. Basically, you use it as you would standard sugar.
Upton’s Plant-Based Chorizo Seitan crumbles
Upton’s Natural plant-based Chorizo Seitan Crumbles have a delicious porky taste and meaty texture (or extra crispy for bacon), they are non-GMO, kosher, high in protein, low in fat and with zero cholesterol, unlike animal-based meat. The Upton’s plant-based Chorizo crumbles are perfect on tacos, nachos, pasta or your favourite breakfast scramble.
The main ingredient in these products is seitan (pronounced say-tan) which is made from wheat protein with an impressive texture and robust flavour. Seitan is a centuries-old technique stemming from ancient Japanese culinary traditions and is all natural.
Culture Mushrooms Oyster Mushroom Biltong
It wouldn’t be a South African snack list without biltong, and even plant-based warriors deserve to get their biltong fix. If you’re after a meat-free biltong alternative then mushroom biltong is the way to go. There’s one word to describe Culture Mushrooms Oyster Mushroom Biltong: lekker. This Oyster Mushroom Biltong is seasoned with Chilli for that extra bit of fire. Culture Mushrooms grows their fabulous fungi locally on Contermanskloof Farm, using a rotational grow room system that makes chemical fertilisers and pesticides unnecessary.
