Delicious Baked Goods by Gluten Free Gourmet

We hit the jackpot this time!  Finding a gluten free bakery is a challenge.  Finding a gluten free bakery that makes great tasting bread is even more of a challenge, but that’s exactly what we have found this time.   Gluten Free Gourmet, located in Campbell, CA is a dedicated gluten free bakery that makes a large variety of great tasting baked goods.  Owner Dana Hoppe, has really done her homework…and it really shows in her products. 

It all started in 2000 when Dana discovered that she was gluten intolerant.  At that time, gluten free products were slim to none and finding good tasting gluten free products was near impossible.  This gave her the motivation to take things into her own hands.  She started by trying recipes in gluten free cook books, but she found them to be frustrating because of all the special ingredients they required.  Not to be discouraged, she decided to take her own approach; convert recipes that she used prior to being diagnosed into gluten free recipes.  With her desire for great tasting gluten free food and the support of her family and friends as motivation, she set out to create what we know today as Gluten Free Gourmet.

Cookies, brownies, cakes, bread, muffins pies… Gluten Free Gourmet does it all!  In a dedicated gluten free kitchen too!   Since 2008, Dana has been creating great tasting gluten free baked goods.  She started at the Saratoga Farmer’s Market with four products: mini loaves of carrot cake, zucchini bread, fudgy brownies and pumpkin apple bread.  They were a hit!  She has now expanded her selection to 23 different products not including her made to order cakes and pies.   

If you have a special occasion you need a cake for, Gluten Free Gourmet can make it for you!  Dana puts a lot of love and care into her baked goods.  When you make a special order, she will sit down and talk to you about your allergies to ensure that it fits your needs.  As an extra precaution, everything is washed between batches to prevent cross contamination.  In addition to being gluten free, the facility is also peanut-free, although they do use tree nuts from time to time. 

Barbeque Gluten Free Rosemary Bread Baguette topped with Tomatoes

Gluten free baking can sometimes be tricky.  Dana has put a lot of work into perfecting her recipes and it shows.  Gluten Free Gourmet products taste great!  So good you probably wouldn’t even be able to tell that they are gluten free.  We were especially impressed by their Gluten Free French Bread and Gluten Free Rosemary French Baguette.  It is one of the best tasting gluten free products we have ever tasted.  The flavor is great and the texture is spot on.  It is no surprise that it happens to be Dana’s favorite too.  It is unlike anything else on the market and can be used in many different ways.  We decided to barbeque the bread and it was delicious.  No matter how you decide to enjoy it, it is definitely a treat you will enjoy. 

Gluten Free Gourmet is definitely off to a great start.  With the care that Dana puts into her products combined with the unique selection of great tasting gluten free baked goods, it is no wonder they are a huge hit.  With Dana in the driver’s seat, we can’t wait to see what else they come up with.  For more information about Gluten Free Gourmet Products, visit their website at: www.gluten-free-gourmet.com.  We are also proud to announce that GFR Grocery is a retailer for Gluten Free Gourmet products.    

PRODUCT NAME:                        Organic Gummy Bears

BRAND:                                       Yummy Earth

COST:                                          $2.99 

SIZE:                                            5 OZ 

COST PER OZ:                            $0.60/oz 

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

ORGANIC:                                  YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           Oregon Tilth

VEGAN:                                       NO

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            RIDGEWOOD, NJ

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:

I love gummy bears! They have always been a guilty pleasure for me despite the fact that they are full of corn syrup and a variety of crazy chemicals; ingredients which I would never think to consume unless of course they are molded together and formed into the shape of an adorable, innocent-looking bear. The folks at YummyEarth understand the duality of having a substantial sweet tooth in spite of being health conscious, and created a line of candies made with all organic ingredients and real fruit, not artificial flavors that resemble fruits. Formed by two fathers who wanted to provide natural candies to their families, YummyEarth’s gummy bears, lollipops, and candy drops are award winning, free of many allergens, and kosher. They use no artificial colors or flavors and instead the creators of YummyEarth candy use natural dyes, like black carrots or pumpkin to color their treats.

Yummy Earth’s gummy bears were chewy and delicious and came combined in a bag of three flavors, Pomegranate Pucker, Strawberry Smash, and Sour Apple Tart. They tasted the way I thought they would, which was sweet, but not sickeningly so, like conventional gummies. They were clean and fruity with distinct fruit flavors, not like conventional gummy bears that taste mostly the same. They were a little chewier than traditional gummy bears, but not as rubbery; it felt like eating natural fruit rather than an artificial tasting candy. In addition to being sweet treat, Yummy Earth’s gummy bears are also low in fat and calories, with only 96 calories per serving. I ended up eating these gummies while I has getting over a cold, and could feel good about indulging my sweet tooth,  for one serving of gummy bears provides 100% of my much-needed Vitamin C.

Taste: Fruity and sweet, but not too sweet, these tasty little gummy bears were full of distinct fruit flavor and had a more firm, not so rubbery texture.

Labeling:   The USDA Organic seal was clearly displayed, as well as statements about these gummy bears being gluten-free, fat-free, 100% Natural, and made with fruit juice. The back of the package had nutrition facts, a little bit of information about the company and an ingredients list. 

Packaging:   Five servings were in a plastic bag with a clear front for viewing the gummy bears inside.

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:                     5
Value:                    3
OVERALL:              4 

Reviewed by: Jennie L.

Gluten Free Crackers: Kinnikinnick S'moreables

PRODUCT NAME:                    S’moreables

COMPANY NAME:                    KinniKinnick

COST:                                      $5.19

SIZE:                                        8 oz

COST PER OZ:                         $0.65   

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       Unknown

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

ORGANIC:                                 No

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:         N/A

VEGAN:                                     Yes                         

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:          Yes

LOCATION OF FACILITY:           Edmonton, 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: 

KinniKinnick stands at the forefront of the gaggle of gluten-free product pioneers that has popped up as of late. Straight out of Canada, this company aims to make products for the Celiac-Disease-Having masses that both recall upon the indulgences of childhood and satisfy a sweet tooth. Their graham-cracker like product, S’moreables, is just one of the GF snacks-of-youth they have created.

In taste, I found S’moreables to actually be *better* then you’re average cracker of graham.  Upon first bite, I was presented with a rich, pleasant, crumbly crunch that slowly turned into the graham-y ball of mush I loved swallowing down as a kid. They are slightly thicker than your average graham cracker, thus packing more crunch and volume to sink your teeth into. I would compare them to a baby biscuit or Teddy Graham cookie texturally. The taste isn’t exactly like the gluten-filled counterpart, but instead has much more depth. There are identifiable hints of brown sugar and vanilla in each bite that create serious complexity. The quality of the ingredients used is palpable.

The package of this product comes with a S’mores recipe just under the nutrition facts, implying that the proper use for this cookie is to create a melty and delectable campfire treat. I am vegan, thus making marshmallows a bit of a stretch and don’t have much of a sweet tooth so I decided to try this cracker unadorned, despite the suggestion. Although I haven’t given the recipe a shot, I’m pretty sure it would probably be incredibly decadent, so if that’s your thing- Go for it! I can’t imagine it’d be bad.

Nutritionally, these puppies are kind of a calorie bomb. One of the main ingredients is shortening, which is precisely what causes the crispy graham to turn into the sticky mushy ball we all love to swallow down. Your average graham cracker is a large sheet and has sixty calories. Kinnikinnick’s S’moreable also has sixty calories and is about half the size. I would definitely not make the mistake of thinking of this product as a “cracker”. If you consider it more of a cookie, the calorie count seems much more reasonable.

Labeling:

Labelling of this product was clear and concise. I deem it to be very sufficient.

Packaging:

These cookies come in a plastic wrapped plastic tray and are encased in a cardboard box. Although environmentally this seems like a lot of waste, it feels appropriate for the freshness of the product.

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:           5

Taste:               4         

Value:              3

OVERALL:        4

Reviewed by Lacy D.

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 Superfood: Navitas Naturals Goji Berries

PRODUCT NAME:                       Goji Berries

COMPANY NAME:                       Navitas Naturals

COST:                                         $5.49

SIZE:                                           4 oz

COST PER OZ:                            $1.37

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:          NO

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           N/A

ORGANIC:                                   YES

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:           USDA Organic

VEGAN:                                       YES

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:            UNKNOWN

LOCATION OF FACILITY:            N/A

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:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: health enthusiasts just LOVE to push the Goji berry. As mentioned in other reviews I have written, it is a nutritional powerhouse. This tiny little guy is known as a “superfood” because of its extreme nutrient density. In addition to the low calorie doses of vitamin A and vitamin C, zinc, riboflavin, fiber, and beta-carotene that you would expect from a berry, it also has tons of essential amino acids and even PROTEIN packed into it. Although it is relatively benign in appearance, The Goji berry has some seriously wonderful health promoting properties.

I had previously only tried Goji berries within vegan, raw, faux dessert types of products and had been vastly unimpressed with the flavor. I found Goji berries to be seedy, bitter, sour, and texturally a bit paste-y. When I was given a plain bag of these berries to review I wasn’t exactly excited, but I was certainly attempting to keep an open mind. For something so nutritionally awesome, there are always second and third chances.

First, I tried sprinkling these plain berries atop some oatmeal, once I was done cooking it. I was surprised that the formerly repellent chewy quality actually added a lot to the texture of my oatmeal. The taste was strong, it’s true, but due to the price of the Goji Berries, I actually found this to be a beneficial component. A little Goji went a long way flavor wise!

I was pleased with Gojis as a simple oatmeal topping but still found the flavor to pack just the slightest bit more punch then I would like with breakfast. In a second attempt I stewed the berries in the oatmeal as it cooked. This is when the true miracle happened! With the benefit of softening the Goji’s tartness and integrating the flavor into the oats I was the recipient of some true flavor delight. My bland morning meal was suddenly a delicious textural dream, all due to just a few Gojis. Time to hang up my Goji hater cap and claim it loud and proud: these berries are my new best friend!

I imagine this product would be best in situations where it was cooked a bit. Oatmeal, sweet polentas, and accents to pies seem ideal but experimenting with topping yogurt and granolas with them might work too. Don’t give up on the Goji! It just might surprise you.

Labeling

I found labeling of this product to be very sufficient. All the nutrition information was very clear, and lots of other facts about the benefits of Goji berries were included on the bag.

Packaging:

Packaging of this product was a thick plastic sealed bag. It seemed sufficient for upholding the freshness of the product.

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 Lacy D.

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.