Peet’s Boba Drinks, Ripple’s Oat Milk, and More Vegan Food News of the Week

It seems that every week in the world of vegan food news is more exciting than the last and this week is no exception. Peet’s is innovating its menu once again, this time with vegan boba-inspired drinks. Tofu giant Nasoya is getting into vegan steak that’s perfect for Korean barbecue dishes. Beyond Burger is joining Impossible on the menu at Slutty Vegan. And pea milk brand Ripple is getting into oats. Read on for more. 

1Peet’s innovates coffee with boba-inspired drinks

When it comes to vegan-friendly coffee chains, Peet’s Coffee is high on the list. Not only does it offer a variety of vegan milks, Peet’s stole our hearts when it launched the Everything Plant-Based Sandwich, a vegan sandwich made with Beyond Meat Breakfast Sausage patty, mung bean-based folded JUST Egg, and melted dairy-free cheddar cheese, served on an everything bagel thin. 

Peet’s Coffee

This week, Peet’s became even more alluring with a fun new menu addition that further sets it apart from other coffee chains. The new plant-based Brown Sugar Jelly is a boba-inspired drink addition that customers can order in any drink. Peet’s will spotlight the new chewy add-in as part of two permanent menu items: Brown Sugar Cold Brew Oat Latte and Iced Brown Sugar Matcha Oat Latte. The plant-based jelly is also part of refreshing seasonal summer offerings: Citrus Green Tea Shaker with Brown Sugar Jelly, Strawberry Lemon Tea Shaker with Brown Sugar Jelly, and Brown Sugar Oat Latte (which can be ordered hot or iced). 

“Jelly beverages are a refreshing treat that can be dreamed up and enjoyed with endless flavor and color combinations, especially during summer,” Patrick Main, Peet’s Senior Beverage Innovator, said in a statement. “At Peet’s, our Brown Sugar Jelly is fully plant-based and can be added to any cold drink for refreshing sweetness, irresistible texture, and luscious layers that look and taste delicious.”

2Ripple gets into oat milk

Ripple Foods came onto the vegan scene in 2016 with the launch of pea protein-based milk at Target and Whole Foods. Since then, the brand has expanded its pea-protein-know-how into a variety of categories, including yogurts and ice cream. Last year, the brand raised $60 million in Series E funding to explore other pea-sibilities in categories such as vegan cheese and soft serve. 

Ripple

Ripple is now adding oat milk to the mix with the launch of Oatmilk + Protein, a beverage that features creamy oatmilk and pea protein. Developed to be nutrient-rich, the new product offers six grams of plant-based protein per serving (which is three times more than oat milk alone). When compared to dairy milk, Ripple’s Oatmilk + Protein is 50-percent lower in sugar, and 50-percent higher in calcium.

“There are many consumers who like the taste and texture of oat milk, but the reality is they are disappointed in the nutritional profile, specifically the lack of protein,” Ripple CEO Laura Flanagan said in a statement. “Ripple is changing the game so that those who like oat milk, can now really love it, as Ripple’s version of oat milk provides three times more protein than regular oat milk, along with the great taste and creamy texture people expect. We’ve brought the power of protein to oat milk, to take it to the next level—this is how Ripple does oat milk.”

Ripple’s new protein-packed oatmilk is now available at Whole Foods Market, Jewel, and Albertsons’ Southern Division with additional stores, including Target and Sprouts Farmers Market, expected to stock it later this summer. 

3Beyond Burger comes to Slutty Vegan

This week, the Beyond Burger became available at wildly popular Atlanta-based chain Slutty Vegan. Since its 2018 debut, Slutty Vegan has been serving Impossible Burger-based creations which come packed with toppings and slathered in secret “Slut Sauce.” 

Now, the chain is adding the Beyond Burger to give customers a soy-free option, which can be ordered as part of any build. That means that fan-favorites such as the One Night Stand and Fussy Hussy can be ordered with either an Impossible or Beyond Burger, giving Slutty Vegan fans—which include Taraji P. Henson, Usher, Shaquille O’Neal, and countless others—even more plant-based choices. 

Julia Stotz

The new and improved Beyond Burger and Beyond Beef—which the company released in the United States last year—is also making its way to Canadian retailers this week right in time for summer grilling season. 

4Nasoya’s vegan steak comes to stores

Tofu giant Nasoya is now producing vegan steak under its Plantspired line. Created as a convenient protein option, the new Plantspired Steak is perfect for recreating vegan versions of Korean barbecue favorites. The steak strips are made from soy protein with a flavorful sauce that has a sweet, savory, and smoky bulgogi flavor. 

To showcase the versatility of its new steak, Nasoya partnered with celebrity chef Dale Talde, who created recipes for Wok Tossed Sesame Soy Moo Shu Pancakes and Plantspired Steak Skewers with Strawberry Gochujang. 

Nasoya

Plantspired Steak first debuted on the menu at 200-location chain Waba Grill where it is a third protein option, next to chicken and animal-derived steak, and can be ordered as part of plates and bowls. This week, Plantspired Steak made its retail debut at Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Sprouts, Giant Eagle, Big Y stores and more—giving home cooks a chance to experiment with plant-based steak. 

5Veggie Grill’s menu expands with Más Veggies

During the uncertain times at the height of the pandemic, beloved vegan chain Veggie Grill experimented with various concepts to keep your at-home food orders interesting. Launched at the beginning of 2021, Más Veggies Taqueria was a virtual Mexican restaurant concept that operated out of Veggie Grill locations and offered vegan meals for delivery only through popular delivery platforms, including DoorDash, Postmates, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. The menu was filled with dishes such as Crispy Poblano Chickin’, Shredded Jackfruit Chipotle Carnitas, Cauliflower Asada, and Savory Tex-Mex Taco Meat in the form of tacos, burritos, nachos, and bowls.

Más Veggies

This week, Veggie Grill is fully integrating the concept into its regular menu. That means that new plant-based protein favorites such as Crispy Baja Fish, Chickin’ Tinga, or Smokey Mushroom can be ordered as part of tacos, burritos, or nachos at all 30 Veggie Grill locations nationwide. 

Veggie Grill’s other pandemic-born concept, Stand-Up Burgers, is making moves, too. On June 17, the newest location of this vegan burger spinoff will open in Culver City, CA as the chain’s first Southern California outpost. “We’re thrilled to be expanding Stand-Up Burgers and to bring this concept to our hometown of Los Angeles,” Jay Gentile, Veggie Grill’s newly appointed CEO, said in a statement. “We’re confident that Angelenos will identify with our mission of inspiring the world to eat less meat while revolutionizing traditional comfort food to be deliciously vegan.” 

To celebrate the opening, Stand-Up Burgers is hosting a plant-based party filled with giveaways every day from June 16 to June 21. In addition to the new Culver City location, the burger spinoff will open its first New York City location later this summer and three additional LA-area outposts by the end of the year. 

For the latest vegan news, read:
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