Jovial pasta is made from organic brown rice flour and water. The company Jovial Foods, founded in 2007, specializes in creating gluten-free pasta made from alternative flours like brown rice. Their pasta provides a healthy, gluten-free option for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
What ingredients are in Jovial pasta?
The main ingredients in Jovial pasta are:
- Organic brown rice flour
- Water
Some varieties also include:
- Organic tapioca flour
- Xanthan gum
- Guar gum
Brown rice flour gives Jovial pasta its structure and texture. Tapioca flour helps improve the texture. Gums like xanthan and guar are added to mimic the gluten network and give the pasta a pleasant, al dente bite.
Why is brown rice flour used?
Brown rice flour is the basis of all Jovial pasta because:
- Rice is naturally gluten-free, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Brown rice flour contains the bran and germ of the rice, providing fiber, protein, and other nutrients.
- The nutty, neutral flavor of brown rice flour works well in pasta.
Compared to refined white rice flour, brown rice flour is less processed. Milling the whole brown rice to make flour helps retain more nutrition.
Other gluten-free flours like chickpea or quinoa flours can impart stronger flavors. The mild flavor of brown rice flour allows the other ingredients in dishes to shine.
How is Jovial pasta produced?
Jovial uses an artisanal production process to create high-quality gluten-free pasta:
- Brown rice flour and other ingredients are combined and kneaded into a dough.
- The dough is extruded through dies that shape the pasta into spirals, ribbons, shells, etc.
- The extruded pasta shapes are slow dried at a low temperature for 18-48 hours.
- The dried pasta is then packaged and shipped to stores.
Compared to traditional wheat pasta, the brown rice dough requires less water and is more brittle. So it needs a specialized extrusion process tailored for gluten-free ingredients.
The low, slow drying helps drive off more moisture from the dense rice flour without overcooking the pasta shapes. This results in an al dente texture with just the right amount of chew.
Does Jovial pasta contain any gluten?
No, all Jovial pasta varieties are certified gluten-free, containing less than 10 ppm (parts per million) of gluten.
This very low gluten content makes Jovial pasta safe for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Jovial achieves this by:
- Using inherently gluten-free ingredients like brown rice flour
- Thoroughly cleaning equipment and surfaces to prevent cross-contamination
- Routine third-party testing of finished products
The company’s dedicated gluten-free facility in Clearfield, Utah uses stringent practices to avoid any exposure to gluten.
Is Jovial pasta nutritious?
Yes, Jovial pasta provides several important nutrients:
- Fiber: The bran in brown rice flour gives Jovial pasta 3-4 grams of fiber per serving. This aids digestion.
- Protein: With 3-4 grams of plant-based protein per serving, Jovial pasta offers a nutritious boost.
- Iron: The company fortifies its pasta with iron to help prevent deficiencies.
- B vitamins: Brown rice flour contains small amounts of B vitamins like thiamin and niacin.
While not as high in protein as legume-based pastas, Jovial pasta still provides valuable nutrition. It makes a healthier choice than regular wheat pasta.
What are the different types of Jovial pasta?
Jovial offers a diverse line of gluten-free pasta shapes and varieties:
Classic Pastas
- Spaghetti
- Fettuccine
- Penne
- Fusilli
- Elbows
- Shells
- Lasagna sheets
These traditional pasta shapes allow you to re-create favorite gluten-containing dishes in a gluten-free version.
Alternative Shaped Pastas
- Chickpea Rotini
- Red Lentil Penne
- Hemp Fusilli
- Brown Rice Capellini
- Quinoa Elbows
For those looking for extra protein and nutrients, Jovial blends brown rice flour with legume and seed flours. These unique pasta shapes liven up your meals.
High-Protein Pastas
- Chickpea Lasagna
- Red Lentil Elbows
- Black Bean Rotini
Packing 10-12 grams of protein per serving, these pastas add a substantial protein boost. They hold up well to rich sauces and hearty vegetarian dishes.
Supergrains Pastas
- Brown Rice Capellini
- Millet Fusilli
- Sorghum Penne
- Quinoa Shells
- Amaranth Spaghetti
Featuring nutrient-dense alternative grains, these pastas provide protein, fiber, and important vitamins and minerals.
What do customers think about Jovial pasta?
Overall, customers rave about the taste, texture, and nutrition of Jovial gluten-free pasta:
- “This pasta tastes exactly like regular pasta – my whole family loves it.”
- “The texture is perfectly al dente with a nice bite.”
- “Never gets mushy or falls apart when cooking.”
- “The brown rice flour gives it a pleasant nuttiness and extra fiber.”
- “Doesn’t spike my blood sugar like some gluten-free pastas.”
- “Versatile for all kinds of dishes from pasta salads to casseroles.”
Some key benefits that get highlighted in reviews again and again are the great flavor and texture, consistency in cooking, and added nutrition from nutrient-dense ingredients.
People note how the pasta satisfies gluten-free diners and regular pasta lovers alike. Both kids and adults enjoy eating it.
Downsides mentioned
Some downsides mentioned by a few customers include:
- Higher price point than regular pasta
- Elbows and smaller shapes can clump together when dry
- Takes slightly longer to cook al dente than wheat pasta
- Unusual shapes like lentil or chickpea pasta turn some traditional eaters off
While pricier than conventional pasta, most feel the quality ingredients and gluten-free assurance is worth the extra cost. And cooking times can vary based on the shape and thickness of the pasta.
Where can you buy Jovial pasta?
Jovial gluten-free pasta is sold at the following retailers:
- Online via the Jovial Foods website, Amazon, Thrive Market, and Vitacost
- Natural grocery chains like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Earth Fare
- Specialty health food stores
- Some traditional supermarkets like Kroger, Publix, and Safeway
Jovial pastas are widely available online. In brick-and-mortar stores, they can usually be found in the specialty diet or gluten-free sections.
Check the store locator on Jovial’s website to find nearby in-person sellers. Jovial pastas are stocked in major cities across the U.S.
How do you cook Jovial gluten-free pasta?
Cooking Jovial pasta is similar to regular pasta, with a few adjustments:
- Use a large pot and plenty of water – Using at least 6 quarts of water per pound of pasta prevents clumping.
- Salt the boiling water well – Add 1-2 tbsp salt to season pasta from the inside out.
- Cook at a vigorous boil – Gluten-free pasta needs high heat to cook evenly.
- Stir occasionally – Gently stir every 2-3 minutes to prevent sticking.
- Cook al dente – Taste Jovial pasta at the low end of the time range until it reaches desired tenderness.
- Drain, don’t rinse – Skip rinsing to avoid making pasta gummy. Drain thoroughly to prevent sticking.
The brown rice flour makes Jovial pasta a bit more delicate and prone to overcooking. Watch it carefully near the end of cooking.
Let pasta cool for 1-2 minutes before tossing with sauce – the extra resting time helps it firm up. Then enjoy your gluten-free Jovial creation!
Conclusion
Jovial pasta provides a tasty, nutritious gluten-free option by using the power of plants.
With brown rice as the base and added legumes, seeds, and nutrient-dense grains, Jovial pasta nourishes diners with fiber, protein, iron, and B vitamins.
Carefully crafted recipes and an artisanal production process give Jovial pasta an al dente texture and light flavor that even picky pasta lovers adore.
Those with celiac or gluten sensitivity can feel confident eating Jovial pasta thanks to rigorous gluten-free practices and third-party testing.
While a step up in price from conventional pasta, most feel it’s worth it for the conscientious ingredients, quality, and delicious taste.
Jovial pasta makes it easy to enjoy your favorite classic pasta meals again, just in a gluten-free form. Simply prepare using the al dente cooking method to enjoy the perfect pasta experience.
