by
MarlboroMan
@ 2008-02-25 - 19:18:06
With the growing demand for free-from foods such as gluten free bread, wheat free flour, dairy free cakes and the such like, it is no wonder that (some) of the bigger supermarkets are slowly catching on.
But it is not enough to simply jump on a 'bandwagon' in this knee-jerk reaction. Consumers are now aware of the growing number of quality food manufacturers catering for people with food allergies and intolerances. In fact, some of these products are so good that even people without food intolerances are buying them!
I attended on open day at Johnsons Dietary Provisions over the weekend, and made the most of the free tasters on offer. Being a big lover of mediterranean cuisine, I headed straight for the Humous, followed by the delightful Falafel Balls and Cous Cous on offer from Leeora's Gourmet Kitchen. Not only would I have not known that these were 'free-from' foods had I not been told so, but the flavour and texture were second to none. I'm definitely a convert.
My biggest surprise though was the flavour and quality of the many different styles of bread available. I have always preferred continental breads such as brioch, ciabatta, and the omni-present french stick, but gluten free? Surely they can't taste as good? Well think again! Proceli are an artisan bakery originating in Terrassa, near Barcelona, and the quality of their bakery is certainly reflected in the taste of their products. They even produce their own gluten free flour so I can bake it at home too - though I doubt my efforts will be to their exacting standards ;-)
My advice? Go ahead and give them a go, even if you do not suffer from Coeliac's disease or other food intolerances. The more of these quality products that we can see on the shelves, the better.