Genius Gluten Free Range Review

Reviewed by Louise Totton

Only people who can no longer eat ‘proper’ fresh bread, who miss the superbly soft slices of a brand new loaf, really appreciate the luxury of having a sandwich that doesn’t drop into a million pieces and doesn’t have the texture of a thick sheet of corrugated cardboard.

I have been eating gluten free for the last two years. After a period of very poor health, I was almost jubilant find out that there was a cause for how I’d been feeling, and more importantly, a seemingly simple solution. Follow a strict gluten free diet. At first, probably because I was so relieved to be feeling better, I didn’t actually mind forgoing bread, cakes and biscuits at all. And then real life set in, and I started missing the convenience of being able to make a simple slice of toast or a sandwich.

In the intervening two years, I’ve tried several gluten free breads. Some of them are awful, some are not too bad, but all of them have at least one issue preventing them from being a staple part of my weekly shop.

Gluten free bread seems to be a compromise. I can either find one that holds its shape well and doesn’t crumble, but is so dry or chewy, it’s only fit for toast, or I can find one that is lovely and soft, but crumbles on contact with fresh air, rendering it impossible to make a sandwich with. Not ideal really.

I was therefore really excited to be sent a small range of products to try from the new Genius gluten free range.

I was sent a loaf of Triple Seeded Sandwich Loaf (RRP: £2.99, 560g), a Soft Brown Sandwich Loaf (£2.89, 535g), and a pack of pancakes (£2 for 6).

I was firstly really impressed that the sandwich loaves contained full-sized slices of bread. I have often felt like writing to various gluten free bakeries and informing them that I’m a coeliac, not a toddler, and full sized slice of bread would be appreciated.

Not only were the slices full sized, the bread is lovely and soft. Whilst it is still more delicate than normal bread, it is a huge improvement on lots of gluten free loaves I’ve tried. The slices were a perfect thickness for both sandwiches and toast, and both loaves are absolutely delicious both ways.

The Triple Seeded was my favourite. It is absolutely delicious, has a fabulous springy texture and a lovely, almost nutty taste. The crusts are delicious too and even in a packed lunch, my sandwich kept its shape and didn’t disintegrate between making and lunchtime which I was really impressed with.

The pancakes are just like I remember pancakes from 3 years ago. I popped them in the toaster for a couple of minutes and they came out perfectly. My favourite topping was peanut butter and sliced banana, but they were also great with fruit and a scoop of ice-cream as a lovely desert.

The new range also includes pittas, bread rolls, white loaves and pizza bases, all of which I will be looking forward to trying.

I know gluten free food is expensive, and I think that considering this, the Genius products are a reasonable price, especially for the quality in comparison to other gluten free products.

I’d give these 4/5, only because I think there is always room for improvement, but these are about the best I’ve had.

Rating: 4/5

For more information, to find stockists or to buy online visit www.geniusglutenfree.com.