No small spring gathering is complete without the right food and drink pairings, which is why we’ve scoured the internet for the best vegetarian sammies to nosh on with the perfect pot of tea. While we’re sure you can’t go wrong with any vegan sandwich and tea combination, here are seven of our favorites that we’ll be enjoying all season long. But first, are all teas vegetarian?
Is tea vegetarian?
According to British tea brand Tetley, which was founded in 1837, tea comes from a plant called Camellia sinensis. The leaves are collected from this plant, which usually grows in warm and humid climates (such as Kenya, China, India and Sri Lanka), when it is still young and before the buds open. This means that tea is, of course, vegetarian, as it is literally plant-based.
Many mixes also have added fruit and berries, so they’re also vegetarian. But some teas may contain honey, which isn’t vegan because it comes from bees (so double-check the label before buying). Black tea is also usually served with cow’s milk, but this can easily be replaced with one of the many plant-based milk alternatives on the market.
If you’re not sure which flavor of tea to buy, here are some of our favorite sandwich and tea combinations. Happy sipping!
7 of the best vegan sandwiches and teas
Create with mind
1Benedictine Tea Sandwiches with Chamomile Tea
The traditional cucumber-and-cream-cheese sandwich is enhanced with this Benedictine recipe from Create Mindfully. Cucumbers are grated and combined with vegan cream cheese and eggless mayonnaise in a food processor to make a creamy filling that’s decadently rich when spread on toast.
Tea pairing: This classic tea sandwich calls for sipping with a similarly traditional tea, so we suggest Bigelow’s comforting chamomile sweet floral blend.
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Carissa’s Vegan Kitchen
2 Yellow Chickpea Salad Sandwich with Raspberry Tea
This easy chickpea salad sandwich from The Crunchy Chronicles is packed with protein and flavor but only has three ingredients (not counting the spices, of course).
Tea pairing: With the slightly bitter taste of turmeric, we think a sweet fruit mix is a great pairing for this sandwich, which is why we recommend Yogi Raspberry Passion Perfect Energy as the perfect sipping partner.
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Pumpkin and peanut butter
3 White Bean, Basil and Avocado Sandwich with Lemon and Ginger Tea
Tossed with fresh basil and white beans, this appetizing pumpkin and peanut butter sandwich is delicious any time of year!
Tea pairing: The zesty citrus flavor of lemon is aromatically delicious when combined with ginger in this herbal tea from Twinings. A vibrant and enjoyable tea experience on its own, this drink is even more sipping-worthy when paired with buttery avocado.
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Veggie inspired
4 Infuse sun-dried tomatoes with citrus lavender herbal tea
Tea time just got a whole lot tastier thanks to Veggie Inspired Sun-Dried Tomato Sandwiches.
Tea pairing: This tangy, herb-laden spread is best complimented with a soothing brew that infuses the dynamic flavors of the sandwich. We love drinking Buddha Tea’s organic lavender tea while this yummy spread is on a bagel.
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Go dairy free
5 Roasted Beet Sandwich with Jasmine Green Tea
Go Dairy Free’s Roasted Beet Sandwiches are heavier than traditional tea fairs … and surprisingly delicious. Layered with garlic-herb hummus and topped with sliced apples and microgreens, this sammi needs mild green tea to balance the delicious density.
Tea pairing: With its smooth layers and mild fragrance, Jasmine Green from Numi is our go-to for a perfect pairing.
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Rawmazing
6 Green tea sandwich with white peach oolong tea
You’ve never had a tea sandwich like this raw delicacy from Rawmazing. Pine nuts, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice are blended into a zesty filling that’s layered between cucumbers and beets for a dish that’s as stunning on the eyes as it is on the taste buds.
Tea pairing: Sip in this White Peach Tea Cup from My Cup of Tea for a high-tea experience.
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Christy at home
7 Japanese fruit sandwich with chocolate pu-erh tea
Coconut whipped cream and fresh strawberries round out this lively creation from Christy at Home, offering a lovely complement to the vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg flavors featured in the tea.
Tea pairing: It’s always time for chocolate, which is why we love combining Numi’s Velvety Chocolate Pu with this Japanese-inspired recipe.
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