Vanilla, Yeast, Cornstarch

37 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 56

Do I actually have to watch for what brand of each of these I am buying? I thought they were plain ingredients (of course sometimes, the company states they may have been in contact with other things, then I avoid those ones). The thing is, some recipies note GF before these in the ingredients. I'm just wondering if the "normal" ones have gluten in them or the recipes just state this to watch for contamination?

37 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 56

isto · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:54 pm Post subject:

Hi, 37! I read the ingr. list of everything I purchase - even if it is a regular item I purchase every week. You never know when the company might decide to change the ingredients.

Danita

37 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 56

What I mean is just these plain ingredients for baking my own food, not in ready made food. Like I said before, I'm a little confused because in recipes, they sometimes state these in the ingredients as GF, while all the other ingredients, like sugar, just say sugar, not GF sugar. My mom even found actual GF either baking powder or yeast, I forget, so I'm wondering if there is a difference if I get these GF, or if they just slap a few words on the packaging and charge twice as much.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8604 Location: WI, USA

Hi 37,

Yes you do have to watch brands.

I think the recipe posters are just trying to alert you to the fact that that item has NGF equivalents and you need to use a GF version of it. When we post a recipe we usually will post the GF brand so people know.

Cornstarch is cornstarch (as long as it's the only ingredient) - it is GF. There maybe some some companies that have cross contamination issues. Maybe someone else may know of any cross contamination issues...

Yeast...I'm not too sure on all the different brands. Red Star Yeast is GF. This is the brand we use. Evidently some commerical yeasts to have gluten. I could not tell which brands tho.

Vanilla...this may not be GF because some have alcohol - which could be grain based. McCormick & Durkee Vanilla is GF.

Baking Powder...Clabber Girl or Calumet is GF. I honestly don't remember why other brands may not be GF LOL!! Since we've always used Calument, I've never done the research on NGF brands.

There are other brands that are GF.

You could look thru these lists to get some ideas:
Our Thread on Delphi's GF Food Lists
Our thread on Chicago Mainstream GF Food List

I hope that clears some things up a bit. Smile

_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

37 · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 56

Thanks for all the info. It helped a lot.

barbara june · Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 36

Hi 37-

I buy a corn starch that is just labelled "food starch". The ingredients are
"corn". Crazy, huh? I get it at a large discount restaurant supply store in large quantities, and it's quite cheap. I have never had a problem with it.

As to your other questions, if a seasoning or flavoring says "pur vanilla" or "pure this or that herb" it will be ok. Probably best to stick to known brands, and brands that specify their products are gf until you know your way around a bit better.

After 6 1/2 years at this, I have actually become pretty good at it. Sometimes I don't even think about my next meal! There is no gluten in my house. When I have the family over and they want to bring gluten, that's fine. One daughter-in-law brought a stuffing dish for Christmas. I just didn't eat it. I made a Butterball turkey stuffed with green onions, carrots, and celery. That gave it a good flavor, and the gravy was wonderful. Unfortunately, they finished it!

Good luck to you. Continue to ask questions here.