Shopping Outside of the Gluten-Free Box

Have you ever shopped in an international market for gluten-free food? I find shopping outside of the gluten-free box to be fun and also cost effective. 

I recently went to visit a new-to-me Brazilian market in Olathe, Kansas. I heard about The Emporium Brazil on Steve Kraske‘s Up to Date radio show on NPR when the topic was the best Mexican and Latin American dishes in Kansas City. Here’s the episode if you want to listen or read the recommendations.

Jenny Vergara recommended The Emporium Brazil on the program. I knew it was a solid recommendation as she used to own a Brazilian market. I made plans with my friend Sue who has lived in Brazil and is fluent in Portugese to meet me for the kind of food adventure I’ve missed during the pandemic. And we DID have a fun food adventure. I learned about ingredients and dishes I’ve not seen before and left with a bag full of delicious items. 

Here are a few of my finds: 

Brazilian cheese bread from one of my local favorites, Taste of Brazil and tamales: 

Another style of Brazilian cheese bread that the shop owner said is more biscuit-like and cassava flour with a different texture than I have seen before: 

And last, little pillows of frozen yogurt, quickly enjoyed in the car on a hot day. I’m sharing a photo of the wrapper with you because I wanted you to see the label. It’s clearly labeled that it does NOT contain gluten and DOES contain lactose and cow milk. Shopping in a Brazilian market is quite easy as nearly all items will be clearly labeled. If the label is not in English, look for “nao contem gluten,” does not contain gluten in Portugese. 

I saw many other things that I need to research and find a way to use them. There are so many naturally gluten-free options in Brazilian food. I find the same to be true in many other international markets as well. The prices are lower than packaged gluten-free goods, which are 242% more expensive than their gluten counterparts. I also find I’m expanding my horizons, eating foods I never would have known about had I not been diagnosed with celiac disease. 

Tell me, friends, where do you shop outside of the gluten-free box?