Our Story
From A Tale of No Wheat
A few years ago, I decided to try a gluten-free diet based on recommendations due to the discomfort I experienced after meals. I committed to 60 days of gluten-free eating to see if it would help. It did, I felt better, but by the end of those 60 days, I was very ready to go back to gluten. My biggest gripe was that the gluten free alternatives were just not enjoyable, and I missed pizza a lot. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that it was no longer an option—the discomfort was now unmistakable and painful.
So, was I destined to be gluten-free forever? While I was willing to make sacrifices for my health and well-being, some of them were monumental. I love sandwiches, pizza, pasta, beer, and even the occasional cookie. I’m not trying to criticize the companies that make gluten-free versions of these foods—they do their best—but most of them fall short. Even the best gluten-free pizza crust I’ve tried is easily outdone by any grocery store brand’s frozen pizza crust. As for the breads, I had to toast them just to make them palatable. It’s not just the odd flavors; the textures are all wrong as well—too dense, too chewy, too doughy, too… well, yuck.
Real Wheat. No Secret Ingredients.
To An Italian Buffet!
After a few years of this, I grew tired and started searching the internet for better options. Eventually, I stumbled upon something called an “Italian Buffet Vacation.” For those unfamiliar, it’s where people go to Italy and spend a week indulging in pizza and pasta without worrying about gluten. I thought, “This can’t be real,” but my taste buds, on the brink of rebellion, urged me to investigate further. Sure enough, it was true! For some reason, many people who eat gluten-free but don’t have Celiac Disease can enjoy foods containing wheat flour in Italy without any issues. Amazing!
I wanted to move to Italy immediately! Unfortunately, my rational side reminded me of a few inconvenient truths: I don’t speak Italian, I don’t know anyone in Italy, and most importantly, my family might not want to uproot their entire lives. So, I had to find a compromise. That’s when I discovered I could buy Italian-grown and processed flour right here in the U.S.A. Time for a happy dance! I started making bread, pizza crust, and pasta—and I could eat it all! I still had a beer issue, but this was a good start!
There was a catch, though; I lead a busy life with family, friends, work, and keeping up on my favorite binge watches. It’s difficult to find time to make bread or pasta regularly, so those items were enjoyed far too infrequently. I searched for brands making these products but found nothing. I imagined that most people who had to endure gluten-free alternatives would really enjoy this, but who has the time or desire to make everything from scratch?
Our Hearty Solution
Enter Gentle Grain Goods. I decided to take matters into my own hands—for all of us. We craft our breads and wheat-based goodies with the finest organic, non-GMO Italian flour, delivering that authentic taste and texture you’ve been dreaming of. Our prices? Right in line with those gluten-free alternatives, but the experience? Light-years better. If you’re gluten-intolerant (not allergic—big difference!), I’m betting you’ll fall in love with our products.
Not sure if you’re intolerant or allergic? Please, talk to your doctor before diving in. Most folks we’ve chatted with thrive on Italian flour, but we’re not rolling the dice on your health—safety first!
At Gentle Grain Goods, we’re just getting started. Our product line’s growing, and we’re all ears for your ideas. Got questions, feedback, or just want to rave about your first bite? Reach out. This isn’t just my story.. It’s ours. Let’s savor the good stuff together.