Peace of Chocolate

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For most, there is no rival to chocolate among food. It stands in a category by itself, in whichever form it takes; liquid rushing like a flood, against the taste buds of our tongues, powder - intoxicating us with its rich aroma, or solid, a savoury treat. Not everyone loves chocolate, nonetheless, it is one of the most widely loved foods.

As internationally renowned as chocolate is, just over five centuries ago the plant it is made from (cacao) was only present in parts of the Americas and was used by the Mayans, Aztecs and some of the other natives of the Americas to make chocolate beverages, known then by some as "xocolātl". The Europeans who traveled to the Americas brought it back to Europe and added sweeteners such as sugar and milk to the beverage. Chocolate grew in popularity as a beverage and due to recipe experimentation over the centuries, chocolate of various forms came into being (click here to read more on the History of Chocolate). Chocolate is now available worldwide for consumption in many forms.

Pure chocolate itself does not contain wheat or gluten. Based on added ingredients to make certain products or being processed on machinery on which processed wheat and gluten ingredients, a product may not be free from wheat or gluten.  However, a non wheat and/or non-gluten eater need not dismay, there are many safe to consume chocolate brands and products out there.

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Common types of chocolate:

1. Unsweetened chocolate - made from pure chocolate liquor, with no sugar added. Basically, a solid chocolate made with just cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
2. Dark chocolate - made up of chocolate liquor, sugar, an emulsifier such as soy lecithin (preserves texture), and flavorings such as vanilla.
3. Milk chocolate - basically, dark chocolate with milk added.
4. White chocolate - made from a mixture of sugar, cocoa butter and milk solids. Cocoa solids are absent.

The Hershey Chocolate Company provides a Gluten Free (as well as Kosher and Sugar Free) Product Listing on its website; the following is the gluten free product listing updated on March 15, 2013:

ALMOND JOY and MOUNDS Bars - ALL

HERSHEY'S - BAKING Chips

• HERSHEY'S Butterscotch Chips
• HERSHEY'S Cinnamon Chips
• HERSHEY'S KISSES MINI KISSES Milk Chocolate
• HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Chips
• HERSHEY'S MINI CHIPS Semi-Sweet Chocolate
• HERSHEY'S Premier White Chips
• HERSHEY'S Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
• HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chips
• HERSHEY'S SUGAR FREE Chocolate Chips
• REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips

HERSHEY'S Semi Sweet Baking Bar

HERSHEY'S - Cocoa

• HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa

DAGOBA Baking and Beverages - ALL

HEATH Bars - ALL

HERSHEY'S KISSES and NUGGETS

• HERSHEY'S KISSES Milk Chocolate
• HERSHEY'S KISSES Filled Chocolates - ALL
• HERSHEY'S NUGGETS Candies - ALL

HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Bar

• HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Bar (1.55oz Only)
• HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate With Almonds Bar (1.45oz Only)

HERSHEY'S Syrup and REESE'S Toppings

• HERSHEY'S Caramel Syrup
• HERSHEY'S Chocolate Syrup
• HERSHEY'S Chocolate Syrup With Calcium
• HERSHEY'S Chocolate Sugar Free Syrup
• HERSHEY'S Lite Chocolate Syrup
• HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Syrup
• HERSHEY'S Strawberry Syrup
• REESE'S Chocolate Peanut Butter Topping

REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups – ALL Except Seasonal Shaped Items

SCHARFFEN BERGER – ALL

SKOR

• SKOR Toffee Bar

YORK Peppermint Pattie - ALL

 

 


Chocolate for Breakfast

• Brownie Batter Pancakes, served with Chocolate Syrup and Powdered Sugar

• Cocoa Pebbles

• EnviroKidz Peanut Butter & Chocolate Leapin' Lemurs

The box has fun facts to read and  activities for children to do 

• Nutella Hazelnut Spread with Skim Milk and Cocoa

• Swiss Miss - all varieties

• Flavoured Milk

Soy Milk

Almond Milk

Chocolate Snacks and Baked Treats

Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Double Chocolate Brown

Brownies with Cream Cheese center, made using Bob's Red Mill Brownie Mix and recipe on side of package #wheatfree #GF #dairyfree

Flourless Chocolate Cake from CPJ's The Deli

Betty Crocker Whipped Chocolate Frosting

All varieties, except those containing Tapioca

Udi's Gluten Free has a variety of chocolate snacks

Udi's Gluten Free Moist & Tasty Chocolate Chia Muffin Tops
#wheatfree #soyfree #daityfree #nutfree

Badia Chocolate Sprinkles

For whichever chocolate products to be eaten by a person with an intolerance or allergy, always check the ingredients and allergy declaration statement on the label. And if ever in doubt, it is safer to do without.