Nutmeg and Autumn vegan food with warm spices: pumpkin tart & seasonal soups

seasonal soups

When autumn arrives, there’s nothing more comforting than vegan food with warm spices. Flavours like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, and cardamom transform simple ingredients into soulful, seasonal dishes. At Arapina Bakery, London’s award-winning vegan bakery, autumn flavours shine through indulgent desserts and wholesome savoury options. Their signature sweet spice pumpkin tart and wellness-focused pumpkin soups capture the very best of …

How to make your favourite cake recipe 100% vegan | Easy egg, milk & butter swaps

Make your favourite cake recipe 100% vegan

If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy your favourite cake recipe in a 100% vegan way without compromising taste, texture, or fluffiness, you’re in the right place. With the rise of plant-based diets, healthy baking, and sustainable cooking, vegan cakes are trending more than ever. The good news? Converting a classic recipe into a vegan-friendly version is easier than you think—all it takes …

Vegan & gluten-free baking: tips for moisture and taste

Discover the joy of plant-based, gluten-free baking with this easy and healthy guide to creating moist and delicious vegan dessert sponges. Whether you’re crafting a lemon, orange, vanilla, or chocolate sponge, these expert tips ensure every bite tastes scrumptious rather than dry—without compromising on that sumptuous, tender crumb. MAKE IT VEGAN Step 1: swap Your dairy milk for vegan milk …

How to reheat a croissant the right way (without losing the flakiness)

Croissants are a beloved breakfast pastry, cherished for their buttery layers and flaky texture. But what happens when you have a leftover croissant and want to enjoy it as if it were freshly baked? Many people make the mistake of popping their croissant into the microwave, only to end up with a chewy, dense pastry. If you want to reheat …

Tier or single stack? Wedding cake size tips for summer receptions

Tier or single stack wedding cake

Summer wedding cake trends are shifting towards smart, practical setups that still pack a visual punch. When deciding between a 3-tier display or a single-stack cake, there are three key things to consider: Your guest count is the first deciding factor. A multi-tiered cake can serve more people – but remember, not everyone will take a slice. Experts suggest planning for 75 …

Healthy little treats kids love: bite-size, mess-free & fun to eat

little treats kids

When it comes to getting snacks “kid-friendly”, the magic formula lies in combining fun, familiarity, and nutrition. We’re all chasing healthy little treats that kids actually eat, not leave behind. Whether it’s an after-school reward, a back to school bakery treat, a lunchbox centrepiece, or a party snack – they need to be bite-size, familiar, and just the right amount …

Breakfast pastries for busy school mornings – Arapina artisan bakery in London

Breakfast pastries

School mornings in London can be chaotic – finding shoes, packing lunches, and remembering homework often leave little time for breakfast. But skipping the most important meal of the day isn’t an option. That’s where Arapina’s freshly baked breakfast pastries come in. From our flaky, buttery croissants to our indulgent almond croissants and rich pain au chocolat, each pastry is …

Best bakery snacks for after-school hunger

bakery snacks for after-school hunger

The school bell rings, the backpacks hit the floor, and suddenly – it’s snack time. If you’ve got hungry kids charging into the kitchen after a long day, you know the struggle of finding something quick, filling, and not entirely made of sugar. That’s where fresh bakery snacks shine: they’re wholesome, versatile, and (best of all) easy to grab and …

The best vegan cake flavours for a british summer garden party

best vegan cake flavours for a British summer party

Planning a dreamy summer garden party in the UK? You’ll want to feature show‑stopping treats that tick all the boxes: vegan cake flavours UK, seasonal, elegant, and irresistibly fresh. For us, the very best vegan cake flavours are softly floral, infused with fragrant herbs like lavender and rosemary. Imagine an almond‑flour sponge light as air, scented with floral notes, layered with a luscious …

Top 5 summer wedding cake flavours brides love in 2025

top summer wedding cake in 2025

When planning your summer wedding, choosing delicious flavour matters as much as breathtaking design. According to summer wedding cake trends, lighter and fruit‑forward options like lemon wedding cake, berry and cream, and even pistachio are dominating menus in 2025. In Arapina, we’ve watched brides fall in love with our signature citrus flavour, inspired both by British taste and our Mediterranean roots.  1. Classic …

The ultimate guide to serving cake: Perfect portions, sizes, and presentation

Serving Cake Guide

Serving cake may seem simple – slice and serve, right? But when you’re in charge of the dessert at a celebration, wedding, birthday, or even just Sunday dinner, getting the cake just right becomes an art form. It’s not only about taste; it’s about presentation, portioning, and making sure everyone gets a fair (and satisfying) slice of joy. Welcome to …

Living a vegan lifestyle: embracing sustainability and conservation

vegan lifestyle

In recent years, the concept of sustainability has gained significant attention as individuals and communities seek to minimize their impact on the environment. At the heart of sustainability lies the principle of responsible resource management and preservation for future generations. As I reflect on my journey towards embracing a vegan lifestyle, I am inspired by the powerful alignment between veganism …

The roots and evolution of veganism: unveiling its rich history

evolution of veganism

Veganism, as a lifestyle choice and social movement, has gained tremendous momentum in recent years. With more people embracing the idea of abstaining from animal products, it is essential to delve into the origins and evolution of veganism. By understanding its historical context, we can appreciate its growth, challenges, and achievements over time. While veganism, as we know it today, …

Embracing plant-powered cuisine: exploring vegan alternatives

plant-powered cuisine

In recent years, the shift towards plant-based eating has gained momentum as individuals seek healthier, more sustainable dietary choices. For those considering or already embracing a vegan lifestyle, navigating the array of plant-based substitutes for traditional animal products is an exciting and fulfilling journey. Whether you’re motivated by health, environmental concerns, or animal welfare, discovering the diverse range of vegan …

Regenerative agriculture: restoring the earth, nourishing the future

restoring the earth

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic land management practice that focuses on regenerating and revitalizing the health of the soil, enhancing biodiversity, and improving the water cycle. It’s a paradigm shift from conventional agriculture, aiming to work with, rather than against, nature. By nurturing the soil and surrounding ecosystems, regenerative agriculture has the potential to mitigate climate change, increase food security, …

Food for healing

food emotions

When we talk about healing with food, we’re delving into the world of using food as a natural remedy to nourish our bodies and promote overall well-being. The concept of “food as medicine” has been around for centuries, with many cultures harnessing the power of certain foods to support physical, mental, and emotional health. In recent times, there has been …

The environmental impact of animal agriculture: confronting the costs of factory farming

environmental impact of animal agriculture

In recent years, the conversation about our impact on the environment has significantly intensified. One area under greater scrutiny is animal agriculture, particularly the system of factory farming. The industrialization of animal agriculture has raised serious concerns about its detrimental effect on the planet, including contributing to climate change, deforestation, and water pollution. Climate Change: Animal agriculture, especially the practice of …

The ethical compass of veganism: navigating the moral argument for animal rights

ethical compass of veganism

Veganism is more than a diet; it’s a lifestyle rooted in the moral belief that animals deserve ethical consideration and should not be exploited for human benefit. At the core of veganism lies the intricate landscape of animal rights, where moral principles guide individuals to question the ethical implications of their choices and behaviors. The moral argument for animal rights …

Embracing veganism: a cultural perspective

embarcing veganism

The concept of veganism, rooted in the ethical treatment of animals and environmental sustainability, has gained momentum worldwide. Beyond personal health benefits, the decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle is deeply intertwined with cultural norms, traditions, and societal beliefs. Across different cultures and societies, the embrace of veganism varies, reflecting a complex interplay of historical, religious, and socioeconomic factors. In …

Zero waste restaurants: nurturing sustainability in dining

nurturing sustainability

n recent years, the world has witnessed a burgeoning interest in sustainability across various industries, and the food sector is no exception. With the increasing concern over environmental degradation and the impact of human activities on the planet, the concept of zero waste has gained traction. This shift has led to the emergence of zero waste restaurants, which are redefining …

5 steps I took to make my business more sustainable

make business more sustainable

From a very early stage in my studies but also career as an entrepreneur, I was very much interested in the sustainability aspect of all things around baking. Of course back in 2013, thinking sustainable was not part of the game so we had to overcome significant challenges and shape a different mindset. The 5 steps I have taken to …

Fun dining

fun dining

In recent years, the dining scene has seen the emergence of a new trend that goes beyond just serving delicious food – “fun dining.” Unlike traditional fine dining, fun dining establishments focus on providing not only exceptional cuisine but also a unique and entertaining experience for their patrons. This trend has gained traction as diners seek more than just a …

Why did these 3 vegan athletes go plant-based?

plant-based food

Fact or fiction: The only way to get healthy muscle is by eating meat and fish to get protein. What do Olympic Gold Medalist soccer player Alex Morgan, Formula One Champion race car driver Lewis Hamilton and seven times Grand Slam Champion tennis player Venus Williams all have in common? Big bank accounts. Just kidding, they are all VEGAN! The …

The sweet truth

the sweet sugar

Why is it that the foods we love to indulge in: chocolate, cakes and sweets are usually so bad for us?! How amazing would it be to enjoy sweet-treats that contain none of the nasty ingredients or have none of the negative health consequences attached to them?! If only we lived in a world where we could enjoy such delights …

Veganism: a potential solution to alleviate global hunger

Veganism

World hunger continues to be a prevailing issue, affecting millions of people worldwide. In an effort to combat this crisis, exploring alternative approaches is crucial. This blog post investigates the potential of veganism in alleviating global hunger by redirecting resources from animal agriculture to sustainable plant-based agriculture. By promoting the shift towards plant-based diets, we may discover a significant step towards …

Is veganism the healthy option for you?

veganism the healthy option

I have just come off doing the business press review on East London Radio show All In My Business, where I briefly touched on the matters of veganism and nutrition! The discussion was sparked by 2 controversial posts I found in the vegan bodybuilding society and the Times online. Alexey Voevoda, an Olympic Gold Medallist and world champion arm wrestler claims …

What does ARAPINA mean

Arapina muffin

ARAPINA is a famous chocolate Greek cake. For those who are a bit sceptical we will give you a tip: Google ARAPINA recipes and quite a lot will pop up (not ours though!). Having said that, I think it is the right time to share with you a bit of the history as to how we started. The company was …

Hydration: how can you best hydrate

Arapina summer drinks

Summer has arrived, which means that now is the perfect time to focus on hydration and gaining a better insight and understanding into the process of keeping ourselves hydrated as the warmer weather arrives. New research has revealed that 89% of the UK population is not drinking enough water to maintain healthy hydration levels. Staying efficiently hydrated in hot or …

First Arapina bakery!

Arapina bakery

A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. J.A.SHED DEC 2016 It is every business owner’s dream to get their own unit and stop sharing it with others. It is also every business owner’s dream to get a retail space where meeting with customers is of great importance! Well, in Arapina we ‘ve …

5 Tips for kids parties

5 Tips for kids parties

You are a new mum and you have never organised a kid’s party before! You do not know where to start and what will keep kids happy for longer… Perhaps you do not have the space or your new living room cannot afford to be painted blue with a marker! Here are 5 tips that we have learnt through our …

Our awards

Arapina Awards

And we are celebrating again! This time we have two reasons; the first one is that we  won for a second time 2 Great Taste Awards! The second reason we are celebrating is that one of them, is a 2 gold star award! Now for all of you that have participated in the Quild of Fine Food competition, you probably …

Preparing for christmas

Preparing for christmas

We are half way through the year and although the weather does not give away a Xmas mood the need of the preparations will hit us at some point… So how can we best prepare ourselves to avoid stress on the last days of the year? Here is my personal planner:Buy gifts throughout the year I always like to shop …

Arapina launches new vegan & gluten-free cakes

vegan and gluten free cakes

Arapina is the first bakery offering customers a range of ten vegan and vegan & gluten free cakes. “From the moment we started as a company it was integral for us to have a wide-range of products to cater for those who are often over-looked,” said Arapina’s CEO and founder Michaela Pontiki. “We have mastered our recipe and can now …

Where to start when you want to go plant-based?

plant based bakery

Plant-based nutrition’- sounds like a mouthful right? But let’s break it down, everyone should have access to the best diet for their health but fancy words can often hold people back. This article is going to break down how you can get started with a vegan or plant-based diet and ensure you’re getting all the nutrition you need. By plant-based …

Protein intake and the significance of it in our nutrition

Protein intake and the significance

It is passed the festive season and everyone is talking about protein intakes. The customers are asking for protein based meals and industry is going boom on the development of protein snacks. So how important is having protein daily, can we leave without it and what type of proteins are there? With the veganism lifestyle increasing by the minute and …

Quick & smart guide to healthy eating

healthy eating

First of all, let’s clarify what Healthy Eating is. The term sounds scary, time-consuming and quite dull for most of you! This is how we have all felt in the past, but this is not necessarily how we feel today… Personal story: Years ago I was working in the fast paced environment of fashion, finishing late from work and feeling …

Managing your dietary requirements

healthy bread

The Arapina website has recently undergone a re-design, with an array of new features being added to aid website enhancement and boost customer experience. One of these features was a new dietary requirements filter, which is designed to make ordering from Arapina more straightforward, safer and more accessible for people with specific nutritional requirements, such as food allergies. In recent …

Why olive oil

Why olive oil

Why olive oil and not butter or why do we in Arapina bake with olive oil? When we first started trading at markets a lot of people asked: ‘Why butter-free?’ which was usually followed by the admission ‘we love butter’. Well guess what: We like butter as well! We do think however that there are healthier alternatives out there, which can …