THE
VEGAN NEWS
THE
VEGAN NEWS
PRODUCT
REVIEWS
CONFECTIONERY
NEW! MULU CHOCOLATE
Well it was a real pleasure to taste test these three raw chocolate samples! Mulu Chocolate is available in Silk, Dark or Dark with Raw Cacao Nibs. The Dark With Raw Cacao Nibs was definitely my favourite! This lovely, very dark chocolate was topped with a generous sprinkling of crunchy cocoa nibs that really enhanced the texture of the chocolate, the crunchy topping contrasting well with the smoothness of the chocolate underneath. The Raw Dark Chocolate tasted very similar to the above, but lacked the interestingly crunchy texture. Nevertheless, the smooth, chunky squares had a delicious melt-in-the-mouth feel to them. Finally, I tested the Mulu Silk Chocolate, which was also very nice, but was sweeter and not so dark. Mulu Silk is in fact Mulu's milk chocolate equivalent. All Mulu Chocolate is handmade in small batches, being gently processed at a low temperature so that it retains its key nutrients. It's sweetened with raw agave nectar taken from a living Mexican Agave cactus plant and is consequently sugar free. The Agave nectar has a very low GI index (11-19) and contains abundant vitamins, minerals and enzymes. The cacao, butter and nibs are organically produced and ethically sourced, being produced by small scale farmers in Equador. Raw cacao is high in magnesium and is a good source of feel good chemicals such as MAO inhibitors. Packed in earth-friendly packaging, each 74g box (68g for the Dark with Cacao Nibs) costs £2.99. Mulu Chocolate can be purchased online from the Mulu web site. Vegan and Vegetarian Society Approved.
GEO ORGANICS ORGANICA PLAIN DARK BELGIAN CHOCOLATE
This rich, dark chocolate bar contains 71% cocoa solids and is made from fairtrade ingredients. It's organic, vegan, non-GM and gluten free. Rather yummy! In fact just about right, being neither too sweet nor too bitter and with a melt in the mouth smoothness and a pleasant after taste. A 100g bar costs around £1.69. For more product information visit Seriously Organic. March 2009 Update: This chocolate is now produced in Belgium.
Added: Nov 2008
Updated: March 2009
NEW! GEO ORGANICS ORGANICA CHOCOLATE COUVERTURE BAR WITH RAISINS & ALMONDS
Containing 41% cocoa solids and 66% fairtrade ingredients, this bar is the vegan alternative to dairy milk chocolate. With added rice syrup, it's much sweeter and creamier than the other two bars and contains chopped almonds and raisins. Personally I found it a little too sweet and was a bit disappointed with the texture, which I felt could be improved by adding bigger pieces of nuts and more raisins. This bar meets the Soil Association Organic Standard and when purchased 5% of the cost of each bar is donated to the Monkey Sanctuary Trust, which promotes the welfare, conservation and survival of primates. A 100g bar costs from £1.79. For more product information visit Seriously Organic.
Added: Nov 2008
GEO ORGANICS ORGANICA FOOD OF THE GODS BELGIAN DARK CHOCOLATE BAR WITH COCOA NIBS
Another rich, dark chocolate bar from Geo Organics, similar to the first chocolate bar reviewed above, but with added cocoa nibs. These give this bar a very pleasing texture with lots of interesting little crunchy bits embedded in the smooth, dark chocolate. Containing 65% cocoa solids, this is a lovely chocolate bar, which is made from 100% fairtrade ingredients. A 100g bar costs from £1.99. For more product information visit Seriously Organic.March 2009 Update: This chocolate is now produced in Belgium. There will shortly be a smaller 75g bar as well as the standard 100g bar.
Added: Nov 2008
Updated: March 2009
FOOD
CLEAR SPOT SEA CAKES
Made from a mixture of organic and smoked tofu with added sea vegetables and kelp, each 190g packet contains two 95g sea cakes. The sea cakes can be eaten hot or cold. They have a tasty smoky flavour and are delicious heated up and stuffed into pitta breads along with plenty of salad leaves and slices of tomato and cucumber etc. I purchased mine from the Unicorn Grocery in Manchester.Price £1.29.
Added: November 09
ORGANIC BAKED BEANS
Produced by Elysium Natural Products Ltd these large, unsweetened, succulent beans are really very tasty! They are packaged in a glass jar instead of a can and although rather expensive at £1.39 a jar the quality is excellent. I purchased my jar of beans from the Unicorn Grocery in Manchester.
Added: October 2009
NATURAL PROTEIN POWDER
This newly launched, Vegan Society Approved product, is produced on a farm in Devon by Braham & Murray. It's the first widely available UK Natural Hemp Protein Powder and is designed to support a healthy vegan lifestyle. Containing 47% protein and about 7% fibre, it's a good source of Omega 3s and 6s and contains all ten essential amino acids. When I tested this product out, I found that this smooth, brown powder didn't have a lot of taste, but was ideal for adding to smoothies, juices and shakes in order to increase their protein and omega-fatty acid content without affecting their flavour. It could also be mixed into your cereal or bowl of porridge, or stirred into some dairy-free yoghurt. I added a spoonful to some homemade, real fruit, banana and strawberry ice cream. Yum! A giant 500g tub costs£9.99, plus delivery, UK only. It's available online from http://www.HempNatural.com and from specialist stores nationwide. Also available with vanilla.
Added: 25 Aug 2009
MORNFLAKE OATBRAN SPRINKLES
This is another nutritious product that is good for adding to dishes. It's especially useful for adding to breakfast bowls, but it can also be used to make porridge. Produced in Cheshire, this product is high in soluble fibre and is made from 100% oatbran, which helps to lower cholesterol levels. Sprinkle it on soups and stews, use it on stewed fruit, mix some into dairy-free yoghurt, or add some to your baked goods for example when making bread. For more information visit: http://www.mornflake.com. I purchased my 500g tube in Holland & Barrets for £1.19. The only reservation I have about this product is that it tends to be a little overpackaged.
Added: 25 Aug 2009
GRASSINGTON'S CHICKEN-STYLE NUGGETS
On the packet it recommends that these nuggets are cooked from frozen in an oven, but I grilled mine as I don't have one. I thought these nuggets were tasty and that they had quite a realistic chicken-like appearance and a meaty texture. They were coated in a tasty, crispy breadcrumb coating and had a slightly smokey flavour, being made from the new protein-rich product, gardein, which is a savoury blend of soya beans, grains and vegetables Chicken-style nuggets are suitable for vegetarians and vegans, however they do contain wheat gluten. If you like a meaty texture or have recently gone vegetarian/vegan then you'll probably enjoy eating these nuggets. They can be purchased from both Sainsbury's and Asda.
I obtained my 300g packet of chicken-style nuggets from Sainsbury's where they were selling for £1.99. Each packet contains 16 nuggets - enough for four portions.
Added: 15 April 2009
VILLAGE BAKERY ORGANIC & GLUTEN-FREE CHRISTMAS PUDDING
This is a really yummy christmas pudding that's produced in the Pennine village of Melmerby in Cumbria. It's moist and spicy and contains lots of fruit (39%) and big chunks of brazil nuts. Easily cooked in a microwave, it's suitable for vegans and people on a gluten-free diet. Price £6.99. In 2008 it was on sale at Animal Aid's Christmas Fayre in London and was also available by mail order from The Village Bakery. I purchased mine in my local health food shop. The Village Bakery uses renewable energy to produce a wide range of quality baked products, some of which are suitable for those with special dietary needs.
Added: January 2009
ZEST VEGAN PESTO
This is another great tasting pesto that can be used on pasta, baked potaoes, salads and in garlic bread etc. This one's made from non-organic ingredients and contains three kinds of nuts, making it unsuitable for anyone with a nut allergy and sunflower and sesame oils. It's cheaper than the Essential Pesto mentioned below, costing around £2.42 for a 165g jar, but tastes very similar, also having a nice tangy flavour. This product can be purchased online here.
Added: 9 Feb 2009
ESSENTIAL ORGANIC PESTO
Produced by an organic co-operative in Italy for Essential Trading, this concentrated pesto sauce contains organically produced fresh basil, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil + sea salt (non-organic) and is approved by the Vegan Society. This is a rather tasty and versatile pesto sauce. Simply mix some of the concentrated pesto sauce with additional olive oil and then use it in pasta dishes, dips or sandwiches. It has a nice tangy flavour that will enliven most pasta dishes, but I found it went especially well with tomato-based sauces. Look out for it in your local health food shop. Price around £3.49 for a 175g jar.
Added: Nov 2008
GEO ORGANICS BALTI CURRY PASTE
Belonging to the Taste of the East Range and certified by the Soil Association, this product consists mainly of a tomato puree and sunflower oil base, flavoured with a mixture of organically-grown spices. I used it to make the tofu and tomato recipe suggestion given on the side of the jar and produced a very tasty and quickly-produced meal. This is a medium hot, spicy and very tasty sauce that will probably set your lips a tingling, but is not too overpowering. It certainly livened up the bean curd, but could also be used with any other vegan ingredients that you have at hand, for example to make a tasty vegetable curry. I also tried it out using a mixture of home-grown vegetables and found it gave my local produce a rather exotic flavour. Easy-to-use, versatile and a useful store cupboard item. A 180g jar costs around £1.99. To find out more about this product visit Seriously Organic.
Added: Nov 2008
GEO ORGANICS THAI RED CURRY PASTE
Also in the Tastes of the East Range, this red curry paste contains a red pepper, sunflower oil, concentrated orange juice and white wine vinegar base that's thickened with corn starch and flavoured with garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin and cayenne pepper. This organic product bears the Soil Association Standard and you will find a serving suggestion for a vegetable curry on the jar. This is a very tasty, but powerful sauce, so don't use too much! It's perhaps a good idea to add some coconut milk to balance up the spices and to counteract the effect of the chilies Price is around £2.09 for a 180g jar. To find out more about this product visit Seriously Organic.
Added: Nov 2008
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
LIVE NATIVE DEEP HAIR REPAIR
Live native is a new company, which offers a unique range of living, organic skin products, all handmade from organic and fairly traded ingredients. This raw product is made on the Isle of Skye and consists of a raw blend of organic coconut oil that penetrates the hair, conditioning it and giving it body and shine. As well as the coconut oil this product contains aloe vera, natural vitamin E and GMO free soya oil and is perfumed with rosemary, neem, tea tree and orange essential oils. It can be used by both men and women. It comes in a small, attractive pot and because it's a raw product is best kept refrigerated. To use simply massage a small amount into the hair and scalp and allow to absorb, preferably overnight before washing off. When I tested out this product it was easy to apply and I found that it left my hair feeling very soft for several days afterwards. It also removes the frizziness caused by dry ends quite well and has a lovely fresh smell. In fact the only problem I had with this product was in reading the instructions enclosed with the tester size, which were in very small print and somewhat difficult to read even with my glasses on. A 15ml tester pot costs £9.99. There is also a 30ml pot for £15.85. Highly recommended. To order phone: 01470 521 504 or you can also order online here. Other Live Native products include: Love Lube, Fresh Feet and Essential Woman. Please visit Live Native for more information on these products.
Added: Nov 2008
RED STAR SOAP
This smooth-as-a-baby's-bum bar of soap is made from almond, sunflower and coconut oils and the bar I tested was delicately perfumed with ylang ylang and cloves. I found that the soap's edges quickly softened up on use, leaving a very smooth bar of soap with a refreshing smell and a creamy-smooth and almost transparent lather. These 100% biodegradable bars are also available in Lavender, Lime & Lemon, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Marjoram & Fennel and Fragrance-Free. Each generously-sized 125g bar costs £2.75 and is handmade using low impact methods. Other Red Star products include environmentally-friendly natural liquid soaps and pet products such as dog shampoo and pony polish. You can purchase, or find out more about Red Star products online. The Red Star Orderline Number is 01384 873748.
Added: Nov 2008
OTHER PRODUCTS
7" AZADA GRUB HOE
This Azada Grub Hoe can be purchased by mail order from Get Digging. It has a sharp, stainless steel blade and a nice beech handle. My order was despatched promptly the day after receipt and arrived safely a few days later. The packaging was simple, consisting of just a cardboard wrapper covering the blade. I purchased the 7" medium Azada, which costs £26.00. However, I quickly discovered that I had a lot of couch grass on my allotment and that this hoe chops up the couch grass roots in much the same way as a spade or rotovator would do. However, when I tested my Azada out for general garden use I found that it will quickly clear ordinary turf. It's also great for removing most common garden weeds and scrapes the weeds off soil paths incredibly easily, simply by running it effortlessly over the surface. I have also found it very useful for clearing green manure crops such as tares. It can apparently also be used for trenching, tree and hedge planting, earthing up potatoes, general ground clearance work and ground levelling, although I have not personally used it for any of these purposes yet. I am sure this hoe will prove to be very useful tool for general garden use and for use on my allotment after the initial clearance of the couch grass has been carried out. Azadas seem to be especially useful for people with back problems who find digging with a spade or using a fork painful. Get Digging supplies several types of Azada (including a lightweight medium Azada that's suitable for women) and also sells quite a few other alternative tools including sickles, scythes, long handled forks and hand azadas. The Hand Azadas are very similar to Keith Dalziel O'Brien's (Veganic Gardening, Thorson's 1986) Scrapper and look rather like a small onion hoe. They cost £13.00 - £15.00.CLEAN CHAIN
Added: 23 Feb 2009
Clean chain is an ecological degreaser or 'anti-lube' that's very easy to use and suitable for vegans. Simply apply it to your bicycle chain and cycle round for a few minutes before wiping it off with a cloth and rinsing the chain with water. My chain was blackened and quite gunked up as I had been using a rather horrible cycle spray oil for some time. However, it was soon clean and shiny when I used this product. Highly recommended. Available by mail order from the Natural Collection. Price £4.10.GREEN OIL
Added: 30 Jan 2009
This environmentally friendly product can be used to oil your bike chain after you have cleaned it with the above product. It keeps bike chains and gears in top condition, but it can be used on other things too e.g. door hinges. Again I found this product very easy to apply and it doesn't make a nasty smell like some of the spray on lubes do. It comes in a small 100ml recyclable bottle. This product is also available from The Natural Collection for £5.20 . Awarded What Mountain Bike’s Gold Award.There is also an ecological bike cleaner in this range which costs £8.10 for a 1 litre bottle. Please Note: The Ecogrease in this range is NOT vegan.
Added: 30 Jan 2009