Gluten Free Baking Mixes: Gluten Free Pantry All Purpose Flour

PRODUCT NAME:                        All Purpose Flour

BRAND:                                         Gluten Free Pantry

COST:                                            $4.99

SIZE:                                              16 oz.

COST PER OZ:                             $0.31/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       UNKNOWN

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:          N/A   

ORGANIC:                                     NO   

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

VEGAN:                                          YES   

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            N/A

LOCATION OF FACILITY:             Canada

SHELF LIFE:                                  1 Year +

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.       

REVIEW:

Taste:
In the past, I have been generally very forgiving when it comes to vegan and gluten free baking products. I know that vegan and gluten free flours have a very special set of hurtles to overcome. Essentially, without gluten or eggs you are missing a binding agent. The result is often a sad and crumbly mess that implodes in your hand before you can scoop it into your mouth. Despite this, I have been the crumb defender for products just so long as I can get some solid chunks into my mouth and just so long as at least the flavor is good.

That being said, I must be honest: I simply have no way to defend this mix.

I used this flour to make the dinner roll recipe on the back of the box. It seemed easy enough to prepare and also safe to use the company's suggestions.  As I started, I immediately I noticed the tacky texture of the batter and the generally lifeless color of the blend of white rice, potato, and tapioca flours. To try to circumvent the tasteless rolls I pictured in my future I added- fresh rosemary and basil, roasted garlic, and ground black pepper. All my add-ins went into the mix and I felt things looking up. Maybe, just maybe, it could all be okay.

I shaped the rolls and tossed 'em on a baking sheet. Twenty minutes later a savory aroma filled the house. This seemed promising!

I bit into my first roll and actually was pleasantly surprised by the outside. It was lightly browned with a crisp toothiness that I appreciated.  Sadly, moving onward, the inside revealed the true nature of this product. Once my teeth hit the center I was completely repulsed by the repugnant gumminess that awaited me. I thought that certainly the rolls must simply be undercooked and so I put them back in the oven and waited (and waited, and waited). Even with the outsides charred the insides were like paste. There was just no hope for these dinner rolls.

The flavor of the flour was basically non-existent aside from my herbs and thus flavor and texture both get a big thumbs down. Nutritionally. The flour packed each silver dollar sized roll with about 100 calories. Not terrible, but certainly not worth it considering.

Labeling:   The labeling is simple and succinct in terms of nutrition but I had a difficult time determining if and where the product was gluten free certified.  Because Glutino is very known in the GF world I assumed it would be, but found no confirmation on the packaging.

Packaging: The packaging seemed appropriate for the freshness of the product.  The flour was in a plastic bag inside of a recyclable cardboard box.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:

Texture:                 1
Taste:                     1
Value:                    3   
OVERALL:              1.7

Reviewed  by Lacy

Gluten Free Chocolate: Navitas Naturals Cacao Nibs

PRODUCT NAME:                        Cacao Nibs

BRAND:                                       Navitas Naturals

COST:                                          $9.99

SIZE:                                            8 OZ

COST PER OZ:                             $1.25/oz

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:           NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            N/A

ORGANIC:                                    YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:            CUC

VEGAN:                                        YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:             YES

LOCATION OF FACILITY:              NOVATO, CA

SHELF LIFE:                                 1.5 YEARS

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.       

REVIEW:

There is something wonderful about consuming a snack that you can feel physically benefiting your body. This is especially true when the snack is not only healthy, but also tastes great. Navitas Naturals specializes in snacks which are raw, vegan, and organic. Their products make it simple and convenient to add more Superfoods into your diet. Superfoods, or foods which have a low caloric count but are packed with nutrients, can give you an energy boost and improve your health. It can be hard for busy people to be able to enjoy the benefits of such foods, and Navitas Naturals makes it easy.

Cacao nibs are simply made of the bean of the cacao plant, which is the base of all rich chocolaty treats. To turn cacao into chocolate, a lot of processing needs to be done and a good amount of sugar will be added, changing its flavor immensely. in it’s pure, raw form, it still has a strong, smoky bitter chocolate taste and is very rich in all that is good for you, like antioxidants and dietary fiber. High in magnesium, Navitas Naturals processes their organic Raw Cacao Nibs at low temperatures, insuring that none of the essential nutritional benefits are destroyed.

I enjoyed my cacao nibs in my yogurt, giving it a boost of rich flavor and nutrients. I also added the nibs to my baked goods, like the crust of a chocolate, gluten free pie, which gave the crust a little crunch as well as a gourmet touch. Some people really like the taste of bitter chocolate, and unfortunately I am not one of them, and find the taste of pure, un-doctored Cacao Nibs a little intense. I would recommend substituting cacao in any recipe in which you would use chocolate. Navitas Naturals provides a great list of recipes for cacao nibs like Antioxidant Superfood Truffles and Acai Chocolate Flourless Cake on their website www.navitasnaturals.com/recipes/cacao-recipes.html.

Taste: Cacao nibs are rich, chocolaty, smoky and bitter. They can be enjoyed by the handful or added wherever you would use chocolate chips for a healthier snack.

Labeling:   The designers of Navitas Naturals’ package seem to take extra care to make their product appear healthy and clean. The design is cute and contemporary with brown and white silhouetted leaves and a sunny label on the front of the package stating that the snack is certified organic.  On the front it says this product is full of antioxidants, iron and magnesium. The back of the package not only had an ingredients list and nutrition facts, but also included information about the benefits of and suggested uses for this quality product.

Packaging:   Eight, 1oz servings were stored in a Ziploc-style bag.

Reader’s Reviews: Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING:
Texture:         4  
Taste:             4
Value:            3
OVERALL:      3.7

Reviewed by: Jennie L.