Seven Plant-based Gifts for Your Vegan Friend

Do you have a vegan, almost-vegan, or primarily plant-based friend or loved one in your life? Do you wonder what you can possibly give them for their birthday or the holiday? As my husband and I navigated and transitioned through our own primarily plant-based lifestyle this year, I came across some amazing plant-based gifts that will make a great stocking stuffer or cozy gift box.

Please note there are some Amazon links in the list below. I am an Amazon affiliate member and enjoy linking to products I buy (not always on Amazon) and enjoy immensely. The links are there to make it easier for you to view and purchase. Of course, you may choose to peruse for similar products and that is absolutely fine!

Seven Plant-based Gifts

1. Furikake – This Japanese spice blend was the flavor find for 2019. In general, furikake is a mix of seaweed or dried fish (oops for some strict vegans), sesame seeds, sugar, salt, and monosodium glutamate. My favorites also have bits of orange peel and chili flakes mixed in. We shake it on anything that is remotely Asian including kale mix stir fries, pad Thai, smoked mushrooms and rice,  and more. The umami, crunchy, and spicy blend just adds a little oomph to a home-created dish. Plus, it makes it pretty! Read the ingredients to be sure you are purchasing a 100% vegan product or an almost vegan, primarily plant-based product.
2. Vegan cheese sprinkles – There may be many vegan cheese sprinkles around, but I particularly enjoy the cheesy sprinkles from The Seed Ranch here in Colorado.  Cheese and a cheesy taste can be one of the textures and flavors many plant-based people miss and have difficulty replicating with the many non-dairy “cheese” products on the market. So, give your friend or loved one a bit of cheese.
3. Beans – Yes, you read correctly. Beans for a present. Not just any bean but a heritage bean! There are over 40,000 bean varieties so your friend may be missing a variety or two in the local grocery store or farmer’s market. Choose a not widely available bean, such as dried flageolets or black chickpeas, or a lovely can of gigantic Italian white beans. I had no idea chickpeas came in black! My favorite bean site – Rancho Gordo!
4. Grains – I am pretty sure fonio flour or kodo millet is not available in a chain grocery store. Primarily plant-based folks love to try different seeds and grains! So, add a punch to their pantry with some awesome ancient grains, seeds, and flours!
5. Porcini mushroom powder – A wee bit of this powder goes a long way. A teaspoon of porcini powder adds depth and umami to what might be an otherwise bland, vegetable-based broth or soup.  
6. Marmite – This British, glutamic acid-rich yeast extract, is another umami power-house. Some folks eat it on toast. I have started using it as an additional ingredient for umami. When combined with soy sauce and miso, the three together are a triumvirate of flavor.
7. Ceramic garlic grater – I love these graters and are one of my favorite plant-based gifts for my vegan friends. The super thing about these garlic graters is that you can grate a garlic clove, add a tsp of olive oil, and allow the oil to absorb the garlic enzymes. You can then use a small spatula to scrape the oil and garlic over some greens, lightly toss with sea salt, and you have a wonderful, flavorful salad.