Chocolate Candy Precaution

[debmidge]

The holidays are coming up and I wanted to share this experience with you all

I purchased Belgium-style candy made in Vermont and after the purchase realized that it had wheat in it.

I had this happen last year (someone gave me candy from Germany that had barley in it).

I've noticed that some chocolates from U.S., Switzerland, Belgium and Germany may use wheat or barley -- so be forewarned. They might come in cute shapes (like Santas, animals, etc.) or in brightly colored packages or foils. They may even be more expensive that Hershey's or regular chocolate bars. Please read the label before purchasing or consuming.

If you happen to eat it first, you might find that it has a "strange" flavor; the texture may be smoother than let's say a Hershey's bar, but the flavor has a certain flavor that I can't describe but you'd know it when you tasted it -- it has a hint of something that just isn't chocolate. (I don't have celiac so I can eat it, but I don't care for that extra taste that the barley and wheat gives it, that's how I knew to read the label after I had it in my mouth. Had I realized that it had wheat in it, I would not have purchased it).

Anyway, just a warning as those holidays will soon be here....

[blueeyedmanda]

I know what you mean I was in the Lindt store in King of Prussia and could not find a candy bar without wheat in it.

[debmidge]

it makes the chocolate taste weird & dilutes the chocolate taste

[Franceen]

I was in COSTCO yesterday looking at all those holiday Belgian/Swiss/German etc candy offerings that I normally LOVE so much. MANY had wheat in them - mostly the filled candies. However, I did find (and buy) some truffles made in Belgium - Gavarny brand name, that do not have wheat or barley and are made in a facility that processes only tree nuts. VERY DELICIOUS, and quite expensive! They are in a fancy box too.

Doesn't have that "flavor" either! I know what you mean about the flavor - it is something that you can't describe, but as a kid, I loved it in the chocolate rabbits, bunnies, santas, etc! Now I don't like it.

We also have been able to get the "fancy Hershey's" dark chocolates - "Cacao Reserve" this time. They are gluten-free, but not European. It takes some time-consuming reading with a magnifying glass to find stuff, but I usually do manage to find fancy candies that are gluten-free. I also get a kick out of the people looking at me strangely when I spend so much time pouring over the ingredients lists! Oh well.

[TimSpfd]

In the US check for a local chocolatier, many smaller companies use purer chocolate recipes than the big ones that have to worry about shelf stability more. I work for one such and have never had any problems with our solid chocolate items. There are risks for cross contamination here, and many items that do contain gluten. Always avoid anything with rice in it - rice crunch bars etc. The rice they use with chocolate is malted (barley) to keep it crisper. Also watch out for items with other ingredients such as nuts or fruit since those may have gluten from a previous processer.

I wont post my employer here but if you search for "chocolate allergy information" it will show up on the first page. I've made an effort to put together a page for our website that gives the info as best as I can determine.