Trying to figure out if Arizona Tea is safe for vegans to consume can be difficult.
Beverages like iced tea often contain vague ingredients, like “natural flavor,” some of which may be animal products.
To make sure that you’re only eating food and drinking beverages that align with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Arizona Tea.
Here’s what I found out.
Is Arizona Tea Vegan?
Yes and no. Arizona tea comes in both vegan and non-vegan flavors.
According to their FAQs page, all of their beverages but their Grapeade flavor are vegan. However, if you look at the ingredients in some of their flavors, it is clear that not all of their products are vegan.
For example, their Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey includes honey, which is an animal product. Many also use cane sugar, which may or may not be processed with bone char.
In addition, Arizona Tea is not certified as vegan by any vegan organizations.
What’s interesting is that the Grapeade flavor, which they say is not vegan actually looks clear of any animal products. It’s almost as if the ones who wrote their FAQs do not understand what veganism is.
So, while some of their teas are vegan, we can’t say for sure that all of them are.
Is Arizona Tea Cruelty Free?
Just like its vegan status, Arizona Tea’s cruelty-free status is not clear cut.
Many of their flavors use artificial colors, which are often tested on animals. Others don’t, but it’s hard to say for sure which ones do and which ones don’t.
Animal testing is a cruel and inhumane practice that causes immense suffering to millions of animals every year and Arizona’s use of artificial colors may contribute to this.
What Is Arizona Tea Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Arizona Tea:
- Premium brewed green tea
- Cane sugar
- Honey
- Natural flavor
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin c)
- Citric acid
- Ginseng extract
Let’s break down each ingredient of Arizona Tea:
Premium brewed green tea
Premium brewed green tea is the main ingredient of Arizona Green Tea. It is made of water and Camellia sinensis leaves, which are brewed together. It is vegan.
Cane sugar
Cane sugar is a type of sugar that is made from the juice of sugar cane plants. It is often used as a sweetener in food and drinks. Cane sugar is naturally vegan but is often processed using bone char. Unless the sugar on the label of the product explicitly states that it is “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” you should assume it is processed with bone char.
Honey
Honey is a type of natural sweetener that is made by bees from the nectar of flowers. It is used in some Arizona Tea products to sweeten the drink. Honey is not vegan.
Natural flavor
Natural flavor is a broad term that can be used to describe any number of flavors that come from natural sources. These flavors can be extracted from fruits, vegetables, spices, other plant-based sources, and animals. Arizona uses natural flavors to give its tea products a delicious taste. As this drink’s main ingredient is green tea, the natural flavor is likely coming from a fruit or vegetable source.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin c)
Ascorbic acid is a type of vitamin C that is often used as an additive in food and drinks. It is added to Arizona Tea to help preserve the flavor of the drink. Ascorbic acid is vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is found in citrus fruits. It is often used as a preservative or flavoring agent in food and drinks. Citric acid is vegan.
Ginseng extract
Ginseng extract is a type of herbal extract made from the roots of the ginseng plant. It is often used for its medicinal properties. Ginseng extract is vegan.
Why Isn’t Arizona Tea Vegan?
Many of Arizona’s tea options are not vegan because they use honey and/or cane sugar as sweeteners. Most vegans avoid refined cane sugar because it is often processed using bone char. Honey comes from bees and is not vegan.
They do have some flavors that are vegan, but since they have quite a few flavors, you would have to check the ingredients of each one to be sure.
Is Arizona Green Tea Cucumber Vegan?
No. Arizona Green Tea Cucumber is not vegan. This drink contains honey.
This Arizona iced tea is not vegan.
Is Arizona Cranberry Tea Vegan?
No. Arizona Cranberry Tea is not vegan. This tea drink contains honey.
This Arizona iced tea is not vegan.
Is Arizona Red Apple Green Tea Vegan?
No. Arizona Red Apple Green Tea is not vegan. This green tea drink contains honey.
This Arizona iced tea is not vegan.
Is Arizona Black & White Tea Vegan?
No. Arizona Black & White Tea is not vegan. This tea drink contains refined sugar and honey.
This Arizona iced tea is not vegan.
Is Arizona Arnold Palmer Strawberry Lemonade Iced Tea Vegan?
Yes! Arizona Arnold Palmer Strawberry Lemonade Iced Tea is vegan. This iced tea drink does not contain any honey or sugar.
This Arizona iced tea is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Arizona Arnold Palmer Lemonade Iced Tea Vegan?
Yes! Arizona Arnold Palmer Lemonade Iced Tea is vegan. This iced tea drink does not contain any honey or refined sugar.
This Arizona iced tea is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Arizona Lemon Tea Vegan?
Yes! Arizona Lemon flavor is vegan. This tea does not contain any honey or refined sugar.
This Arizona iced tea is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Arizona Cold Brew Arnold Palmer Tea Vegan?
No. Arizona Cold Brew Arnold Palmer Tea contains honey.
This Arizona iced tea is not vegan.
Is Arizona Tallboy Blueberry White Tea Vegan?
No. Arizona Tallboy Blueberry White Tea contains honey.
This Arizona iced tea is not vegan.
Is Arizona Tallboy RX Energy Herbal Tonic Vegan?
No. Arizona Tallboy RX Energy Herbal Tonic contains orange blossom honey.
These energy drinks are not vegan.
Is Arizona Sugar-Free Powder Stix Green Tea Vegan?
No. Arizona Sugar-Free Powder Stix Green Tea contains honey.
This powdered drink is not vegan.
Is Arizona Tallboy Mandela Red Tea Vegan?
No. Arizona Tallboy Mandela Red Tea contains refined cane sugar.
This Arizona iced tea is not vegan.
Is Arizona Powder Stix Arnold Palmer Half & Half Vegan?
No. Arizona Arnold Palmer Half & Half contains brown sugar, a non-vegan ingredient.
This powdered tea is not vegan.
Are Arizona Tea Water Enhancers Vegan?
No. All three Arizona tea water enhancers contain honey, a non-vegan ingredient.
These water enhancers are not vegan.
Is Arizona Tea Powder Mixes Vegan?
No. Arizona’s tea powder mixes are not vegan. Their Green Tea powder mix contains honey, while their Arnold Palmer powder mix contains refined sugar.
These powder mixes are not vegan.
Vegan Alternatives to Arizona Tea
If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Arizona Tea, I have some good news! There are plenty of delicious vegan teas out there that you can enjoy. Here are some of my favorites:
- EvyTea Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea
- Tea’s Tea Ocha Green Tea
- Matcha Love Organic Matcha and Green Tea + Ginger
- Bai Antioxidant Infused Socorro Sweet Supertea
- Zevia Organic Tea Sweetened Black Tea Lemon
All of these vegan teas are delicious and refreshing. These tea brands use different sweeteners that are vegan friendly, so you can enjoy them without worry!
Final Words
Arizona Tea is a popular beverage choice, but many people are surprised to learn that it isn’t always vegan. Some of the tea flavors use honey or refined sugar as sweeteners, which means they’re not suitable for vegans.
You can still enjoy Arizona Tea if you’re vegan, you just have to be mindful of which flavors to choose. The good news is that there are plenty of other delicious vegan tea brands out there for you to enjoy! But as always, check the ingredients list to be sure.