No more biscuits or cakes with coffee or Afternoon Tea? If you are no longer allowed to eat gluten because of coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, the situation often seems hopeless at first. After all, gluten, the protein contained in many types of grain, is not only found in bread and pastries, but also in many ready-to-use products, flavourings and medicines. Gluten-free products are also often much more expensive than the usual variant that does have gluten. But did you know that you can also choose biscuits and cakes that are naturally gluten-free, since they have been made with, for instance, almond flour, buckwheat or coconut flour? 

Why are food producers so fond of gluten?

Gluten is the word for a group of proteins contained in a number of cereals, such as wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut. All kinds of products such as cakes, biscuits, pizza, pasta, bread, sauces and sweets, which contain one of these types of grain, therefore contain gluten. Gluten provides structure, adhesive strength and elasticity to food products, making it easy to process the dough. In addition, gluten regulates the moisture in food and provides proteins, nutrients and fibre. At the same time, gluten ensures the desired development of the crust colour and for longer shelf life.

Even without gluten sensitivity, eating less gluten is becoming increasingly popular

As soon as people with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance eat food rich in gluten, their immune system reacts with antibodies, causing damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine. Although gluten sensitivity does not damage the intestines, the symptoms are similar to those of the coeliac condition, such as bloating, fatigue, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or headaches. Many people with abdominal and intestinal complaints choose to eat gluten-free food, or do so temporarily, to see it does for them. Often with encouraging results, which of course can also have to do with a generally improved diet and lifestyle.

Afternoon Tea with gluten-free biscuits and almond cake from Biscuiterie de Provence

Fancy a gluten-free Afternoon Tea? Keep away from all that expensive stuff and simply choose (appetiser) biscuits and cakes that, because they are made with almond flour, contain absolutely no gluten whatsoever! Biscuiterie de Provence is a French family business that has specialised in almond-based products since 1833. Meanwhile, the sixth Bedouin generation has a whole range of gourmet gluten-free biscuits and soft almond cake. The traditional recipes are produced with predominantly local ingredients in our own workshops and contain no preservatives, colourants or palm oil. Enjoy!