Gluten-free product: a choice of quality and indulgence
A gluten-free product? Let's break it down!
What is a gluten-free product?
First of all, we had fun searching for the definition of the word "gluten" on Google, and here's what came up: "Viscous nitrogenous substance that remains after the removal of starch from cereal flours." Concretely, this scientific definition is rather complicated, so we're sharing our way of explaining what gluten is (even to children).
Before talking about "free," you have to understand what "gluten" is, don't you think? Gluten is a mixture of proteins naturally contained in straw cereals such as wheat, barley, spelt, rye, etc., and it's what gives elasticity and binding to a dough (to remember: gluten has the same root as "glue"). Without it, you can expect crumbly textures or even choking hazards (a local term for "choking Christian" / "choking mother-in-law").
This protein can cause a food intolerance, called celiac disease. But we'll talk about that in a future article!
So, to summarize: a GLUTEN-FREE product is a product made WITHOUT straw cereals and therefore WITHOUT wheat flour, spelt, etc. And for simplicity, don't hesitate to rely on the crossed-out wheat ear logo on the packaging, which certifies the absence of gluten in the recipe!
Which cereals do not contain gluten?
Interestingly, not all cereals contain gluten! And you don't have to look far; you already know some! We'll give you the top 3 you might already have in your cupboards and which exist in flour form (of course, there are others)...
Rice
A very digestible cereal with a neutral taste, it is probably the best-known cereal as a substitute for wheat in baking. An excellent source of fiber, antioxidants, and plant proteins, it also provides B vitamins, various minerals, and essential trace elements.
Disadvantages according to us: not super gourmet...
Corn
Here we're not talking about corn kernels for your salad but rather corn flour, used in cooking or baking (not to be confused with Maïzena). Generally associated with other powders (chestnut, rice, etc.), it can also be used alone. With a neutral and subtly sweet taste, it is popular in baking, offering lightness to preparations. Crepes, pie crusts, cakes... it is one of the only ones to give a satisfactory texture in baking.
Our point of view? It's nice, but still not gourmet enough for us!
Quinoa
In reality, quinoa is not truly a cereal. It's a small seed that belongs to the "Chenopodiaceae" plant family (the same family as beets or spinach). Quinoa flour, like the first two mentioned, is very digestible and rich in nutrients, but in terms of taste, it has a hint of bitterness combined with nutty notes. In practice, it should be used sparingly because it is very absorbent! If a recipe calls for 200g of wheat flour, you'll need to replace it with 100g of quinoa. Dividing by two is the simplest technique for its use.
Our opinion? We don't use it in our gluten-free biscuits. Do you want to know our favorite ingredient for super gourmet gluten-free recipes? The answer is right below...
What to replace gluten with in baking?
You will certainly find a large number of articles on the internet offering a multitude of substitutes (buckwheat, chickpeas, coconut, chestnut...) but at Biscuiterie de Provence, we only swear by almonds! Our dear beloved ingredient that we have always used in our specialties and which has made their reputation over the years (decades even!).
Almond flour, naturally gluten-free, is an excellent alternative for those who cannot or do not wish to consume gluten. Unlike rice flour, which has a high glycemic index, almonds have many benefits such as being rich in antioxidants, fiber, and minerals, in addition to being deliciously indulgent!
We love its texture, its flavors, its deliciousness... We even make our own almond flour! We receive whole almonds and, like a roaster, we grind the almonds at the last moment to release their aromas. And it is this almond flour, with intense flavors, that we use in our kneaders in the workshop.
Which biscuits or cakes to eat when you are gluten intolerant?
It's true that being in the snack aisle of your grocery store can be daunting if you're gluten intolerant. At Biscuiterie de Provence, our customers are happy to be able to stock up on gluten-free products thanks to our tasty recipes and the variety of ranges.
However, let's be clear, our certified gluten-free products are not ONLY for celiacs! We never intended to bake our specialties specifically to satisfy gluten intolerant people. We are happy to delight the taste buds of all sweet tooths, whether they are intolerant or not. This is what our customers love about our products. They are divinely good and please the whole family!
Hyper gourmet traditional gluten-free macarons
At La Biscuiterie de Provence, you won't find Macarons made of two shells like at La Durée, but your cravings for sweet treats won't be disappointed... Our Almond Macarons are one of our biscuit factory's best sellers.
Made using traditional methods, our Macarons have been delighting young and old gourmands for over 20 years. Appreciated for their wonderfully soft centers, they are as flavorful as they are delicate and combine the best ingredients for unique flavor combinations!
Rich in almonds (between 30 and 43% per recipe), with extremely short ingredient lists (based on almond, sugar, honey, and egg) for small, gluten-free and dairy-free pastries that are simply irresistible!
Our almond Macaron offer: IGP Provence Honey, organic almond, organic lemon, organic chocolate, organic hazelnut, organic fig, and Valrhona Guanaja Dark Chocolate Heart.
Moist cakes validated by gluten intolerant people
In the same vein as our almond macarons, the moist cake range (numerous organic gluten-free references) has been charming almond pastry lovers for over 20 years with its irresistible softness, exceptional delicacy in the mouth, and natural ingredients without preservatives. Its unique packaging guarantees long shelf life and allows it to be enjoyed at any time, possibly reheated, alone or with cream, ice cream, or a fruit salad.
This range has many advantages thanks to its quick and easy demolding anywhere. This dessert can be enjoyed at any time, for a snack or dessert. Athletes will appreciate it as a snack, and families during a picnic. Our pastries truly have everything to please, and as our customers say it best, here are some reviews you can find on our product pages:
"Our guests don't suspect that this excellent dessert is gluten-free."
"I regularly serve it to my guests. Always so healthy and tasty."
"Super tasty with a 'Clean' composition and ABOVE ALL gluten-free. Thanks for the small gift in the package."
"Always so delicious. A taste experience."
We tell you, you'll be pleasantly surprised by our gourmet specialties! Gluten-free chocolate, gluten-free hazelnut, gluten-free lemon, or even gluten-free fruit... No matter if you follow a gluten-free diet or not, our pastries win everyone over!
Biscuiterie de Provence certified gluten-free products
Gourmet specialties certified by AFDIAG
Rich in almonds, our gluten-free desserts, certified with the AFDIAG (French Association of Gluten Intolerant People) logo, do not need "fake gluten" to have an ultra-melting texture and an inimitable taste!
Who said gluten-free lacked flavor? In our factory, we specialize in creating 00% gourmet pastries, just like homemade. Our goal? To bring together the whole family and friends for moments of sharing at snack time or dessert, without worrying about which products contain gluten or not. Our delights are so delicious that everyone, whether celiac or not, enjoys them with pleasure. Because gluten-free, yes, but WITH a lot of taste, thanks to our carefully selected ingredients.
Manufactured and packaged in a dedicated gluten-free workshop, our expertise and control measures allow us to guarantee the absence of gluten in the dedicated workshop, which is validated by analyses and audits. You will therefore see the famous crossed-out wheat ear AFDIAG logo on all our gluten-free specialty packaging.
Forget gluten-free biscuits with questionable ingredient lists already on the market, let yourself be tempted by deliciously natural specialties! You will see on each package the famous crossed-out wheat ear logo certified AFDIAG as well as a social security code for reimbursement of your expenses.
Gluten-free products reimbursed by social security
To assist celiac individuals with their gluten-free diet, it's important to know that the French health insurance system (Assurance Maladie) can partially cover some of their expenses under certain conditions and, of course, with all necessary documentation.
Flours, breads, pasta, and biscuits – each food category has its own reimbursement basis, but it doesn't matter where you buy your gluten-free treats! Whether in a physical store, online, in supermarkets, or even pharmacies, you benefit from the same reimbursement conditions!
To find out the amount of coverage, we direct you to an article on the AFDIAG website where you will also find a guide to reimbursing gluten-free products: https://www.afdiag.fr/au-quotidien/remboursement-des-produits-sans-gluten/
Order our gluten-free specialties online
Order our guaranteed gluten-free recipes from our Factory! You'll enjoy our exceptional offers, discounts, and packaging that we exclusively offer to our individual customers. Here are the advantages of ordering from Biscuiterie de Provence:
Responsive customer service reachable by phone (a question? Need help? We are at your disposal)
Exclusive offers, promotions, and events each month
Secure payment (credit card, check, PayPal)
Careful order preparation
Fast shipping with parcel tracking
Invoice available for download in your customer account
An interesting loyalty program
Do you or a family member follow a gluten-free diet or wish to avoid gluten? Don't hesitate to contact us for any information request!
VISIT THE FACTORY
Immerse yourself in the history of the Biscuiterie, have fun through several playful activities adapted for toddlers, take a look at our different workshops (chocolate, calissons, biscuits...), discover how we work with passion and love for our beautiful region... Come and spend a pleasant moment with your family, you will finish with a wonderful tasting in our 300m2 gourmet hall! You will find our 150 recipes, our fresh pastries and more than 350 local products carefully selected from producers close to the Factory, and you might even finish with a little gourmet break in our tea room area.
I discover the "Visit the Factory" page
