High street coffee chain Costa Coffee has launched a dairy-free, vegan whipped cream across its UK stores. Costa’s vegan lovers can now indulge in its fancy cold and hot drinks without having to skip the extra creamy toppings.
A spokesperson for Costa Coffee told Plant Based News, “We are delighted to confirm the launch of Light Whip, a new light alternative to cream, suitable for both vegetarians and vegans to enjoy.
Plant-based alternatives
The UK’s fastest growing coffee shop chain and a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, Costa has gradually added vegan options in recent years. In 2021, the brand launched the Vegan Bacon Breakfast Bap nationwide with vegan bacon from Irish brand Finnebrogue.
In December 2022, Costa released a festive vegan sandwich, the P’gs & Blankets Panini. The offering was followed by new launches, including the return of the popular BBQ Chicken’n Panini for Veganuri and the Vegan Meatball Wrap or Vegan Heart Emoji Gingerbread Biscuits.
Recently, the coffee chain launched an initiative to allow its customers to switch to its “Ultimate Blend” alternative milk till May 3 without paying extra.
“Costa has finally released their vegan whipped cream! I tried it; It’s a sweet cream, but really nice,” reads a comment on the Costa 2023 Drinks Update.
Protest for dairy farm cruelty
As news of Costa’s vegan whipped cream spread, Juliet Gellatly, founder and director of UK vegan campaigning charity Viva!, called on the vegan community to protest outside Costa stores nationwide from 11 March.
Wow! Recently Home Farm investigated, a dairy farm in Kent supplying Freshway, which supplies milk for Costa Coffee. “Cruelty is the hallmark of modern dairy farming – and that’s why we’re asking people to go vegan instead of boycotting Costa,” says Gellatly.
“Across the country, Viva! Campaigners, advocates and activists will come together to educate the public about the realities of dairy and encourage them to switch to plant-based alternatives,” says Viva!