"Gluten Freedom, Part Two: Bakeries Detail Their Wheat-Free Treats" by Food Blog

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Gluten Freedom, Part Two: Bakeries Detail Their Wheat-Free Treats

January 19, 2012

Baked goods often aren't so good if you're a wheat-free eater.

Fortunately many of our favorite local, family-owned shops are adding gluten-free items, albeit not with the most awe-inspiring selection. We called around to see what those items include:

Bakery Station 202 Monterey St., Salinas, 783-1140 ••• Daily, they serve a chocolate truffle torte ($6 per slice; $30 whole), but one can call in advance for a gluten free pumpkin chiffan cake ($6 per slice, $25 whole), pumpkin cookies (3 for $1.50), and rice biscuits ($6.95 a dozen). More tasty news: They only use organic ingredients.

Carmel Bakery Ocean and Lincoln, Carmel, 626-8885 ••• They serve almond horn cookies ($2.55), a nut flour-based cookie.

Layers 9 Soledad Drive, Monterey, 655-1544 ••• Their small flourless lemon cake ($20) and coconut macaroons ($1.25) contain no gluten ingredients (but for super sensitive allergies, staff cannot promise zero cross contamination has occurred).

Paris Bakery 271 Bonifacio Place, Monterey, 646-1620 ••• They offer gluten free small and large meringues ($.75-$1.20) in coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and almond flavors as well as coconut and chocolate-dipped macaroons ($1.50-$2).

Patisserie Boissiere Restaurant & Patisserie Mission and Seventh, Carmel, 624-5008 ••• They have a couple of gluten free options, including a dark chocolate flourless cake ($24/whole cake with 24-hour advance, $4.50/slice), a bittersweet pot au chocolat ($4.50), and a pudding crème brulee ($4.50), all served daily.

Parker Lusseau Pastries 731 Munras Ave. and 539 Hartnell St., Monterey, 643-9188 ••• They have triple chocolate cake with almond flour as each layer’s main ingredient ($5/slice).

Pastries and Petals Mission St. NE of Fifth, Carmel, 620-1400 ••• On occasion, P&P offers gluten free macaroons ($2.50), rice krispy treats ($2), and cookies ($1.25), but cannot promise if cross contamination has occurred.

Sweet Elena’s Bakery & Cafe 465 Olympia Ave., Seaside, 393-2063 ••• Elena and company serve almond cookies ($.75) that contain no gluten.

Wild Goose Bakery & Café 18 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, 659-5052. ••• The Goose lays out small gluten free blueberry and banana loaves ($3) daily, but they recommend calling because they run out fast.

Nice to know about wheat free alternatives. However, for those of us that are Celiac or truly gluten intolerant, the wheat free or gluten free products produced in facilities that also produce gluten based products is a disaster waiting to happen. Many bakeries and restaurants do not have the understanding or investment in following best practice to prevent cross contamination. Contamination occurs through equipment that you would not even think of.... such as the ventilation system. Wheat flour dust is spread across the entire kitchen in this manner.

Also, the potential for gluten to be in the raw ingredients used in making these products is also problematic. Gluten masquerades by many names on ingredient labels. I'll bet that many bakers do not know that caramel flavoring and coloring can contain gluten from the malt used in processing this ingredient.

Once the FDA ruling is solidified on the definition and labeling requirements of gluten free, it may be a bit easier to avoid problems as a consumer. Until then, a wheat free product may fill our stomachs but we take a terrible risk by consuming them...particularly in a facility that may not understand how to meet the standards.