Gluten-Free Cocoa and Spices

New Day, New Gluten-Free Products

In light of many of the products I once used in my gluten-free, allergen-free cooking like Hershey's and McCormick funding against our right to know if any of the foods we eat contain genetically modified organisms - GMOs - I've had to find new products to use instead.

NOW Brand Organic Cocoa

This was an easy switch for me. This organic cocoa powder from NOW Brands is full of heart-healthy antioxidants, fiber, protein and has a far higher concentration of mood-enhancing compounds than chocolate. Not to mention a deep rich chocolate taste when sweetened just enough to offset cocoa's inherent bitterness. Use NOW Organic Cocoa Powder as you would any cocoa powder, for everyday baking and also great when added to shakes or in some of my non-dairy ice recipes.

And I also just found out that Swanson makes an organic unsweetened cocoa powder:

Gluten-Free Spices

I have to admit giving up my McCormick spices was a bit harder than switching cocoa powders. As a cookbook writer I think I have just about every McCormick spice available. I also wasn't really sure what spice company I could trust anymore.

I still use the McCormick Cream of Tartar. Eventually I hope to find a replacement for that, too.

Litehouse is my spice brand right now. The create freeze-dried herbs and spices. I discuss them in greater detail on my blog post Litehouse Freeze-Dried Herbs and Spices. We just love them and some of my dishes wouldn't taste the same without the fresh taste of their spices.

Simply Organics makes several spices they claim are naturally gluten-free. Many of their other products are certified gluten-free. Always have to remember that some supposed naturally gluten-free spices do actually contain gluten. It's smart to introduce spices one at a time and wait a week to see if you have any reaction. If you can't find them in your store many of their products are available on amazon as add-ons where you're able to still take advantage of the free shipping option.

I met a friend recently who I later discovered was gluten sensitive. We were shopping in the grocery story together and pointing out different products we each used when we wound up at the spice aisle. I told her my dismay with the McCormick company and she told me she used Badia spices. I'd seen them before in the store but never used them. My friend also pointed out that the Badia spices were Certified Gluten-Free which means they are tested and contain less than 10 ppm of gluten. 

My grocery stores here carry a wide assortment of Badia spices but I also found that vitacost.com carries a few of the Badia organic spices, too. Unfortunately GF seal and all, for one reason or another my family was sensitive to these spices. Something's are a hit or miss and what and again you may have to see which spices you and your own family may be sensitive to also.

Updated: May 9, 2013