Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more people discover they have sensitivities or allergies to gluten. For those avoiding gluten, finding delicious dessert options that are safe to eat can be challenging. Gelato is naturally gluten free, but many commercial gelato brands add cookies, cake pieces, or other gluten containing ingredients. Talenti gelato offers a line of flavors that are certified gluten free, providing a tasty frozen dessert that is safe for gluten free diets.
What is Talenti Gelato?
Talenti is an American gelato brand that was founded in 2003 in Dallas, Texas. Using Italian techniques and recipes, Talenti aims to craft authentically creamy Italian-style gelato with bold, intense flavors. Their gelato contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Talenti uses fresh, natural ingredients like milk from cows not treated with rBGH artificial growth hormones, cane sugar, and real fruits, nuts, chocolate, and other flavorings.
In addition to traditional gelato flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and hazelnut, Talenti offers innovative gelato combinations like Raspberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, and Caramel Cookie Crunch. Their gelato comes in pint sized containers, perfect for grabbing from the grocery store freezer. Talenti is now owned by consumer goods giant Unilever.
Why Check if Gelato is Gluten Free
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. This can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, and diarrhea. The only treatment for gluten related disorders is strictly avoiding all foods and products containing gluten.
While plain gelato made from milk, cream, sugar and flavors like fruit or chocolate are naturally gluten free, many gelato brands add sources of gluten like cookies pieces, cakes, or wheat thickeners. Always check the label when purchasing gelato to ensure the flavor you select is gluten free.
Benefits of Talenti Gluten Free Gelato
Talenti offers a line of gelato flavors that are certified gluten free, containing less than 20ppm of gluten. This provides a delicious frozen dessert option for those on a gluten free diet. Benefits of Talenti gluten free gelato include:
- Safely contains less than 20ppm of gluten and is third party tested
- Uses real, natural ingredients like milk, cream, fruit, nuts, and chocolate
- Great alternative to ice cream for those avoiding gluten
- Wide variety of flavors to satisfy any craving
- Rich, creamy, authentic Italian-style gelato taste and texture
- Convenient pint containers for enjoying at home
What Talenti Gelato Flavors are Gluten Free?
Talenti offers a variety of gluten free gelato flavors, giving many choices for those on a gluten free diet. Their gluten free gelato selections include:
Fruit Flavors
- Black Cherry
- Lemon Basil
- Mango
- Pink Grapefruit
- Raspberry
- Roman Raspberry
- Ruby Red Grapefruit
Chocolate Flavors
- Belgian Chocolate
- Chocolate Cherry Cordial
- Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch
- Double Dark Chocolate
- Dark Chocolate Cherry
Nut Flavors
- Alphonso Mango & Mascarpone
- Pistachio
- Toasted Coconut Almond Chocolate
Additional Flavors
- Caffe Latte
- Caramel Cookie Crunch
- Madagascar Vanilla Bean
- Salted Caramel
- Stracciatella
With fruit, chocolate, nutty, coffee, and other flavor choices, the Talenti gluten free gelato selection allows for diverse options to satisfy any gelato craving without gluten.
What Talenti Gelato is Not Gluten Free?
While Talenti offers many gluten free flavors, some of their gelato contains gluten or risk of cross-contamination with gluten. Talenti flavors that are not gluten free include:
- Peanut Butter Fudge
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
- Butter Pecan
- Cinnamon Clove
- Peppermint Bark
- Gingerbread
- Peppermint Patties
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Dulce de Leche
- Tahitian Vanilla Bean
- Triple Chocolate
These flavors contain cookie pieces, cookie dough, spices, or other ingredients derived from gluten sources like wheat, barley, or rye. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities will need to avoid these Talenti flavors and stick to the certified gluten free options.
How to Identify Talenti Gluten Free Gelato
When purchasing Talenti gelato, check the label to confirm the flavor you are choosing is gluten free. Talenti marks their certified gluten free flavors with a “Gluten Free” call out on the front of the container. On the detailed ingredient list and nutrition facts on the back of Talenti gluten free flavors, you will also see:
- “Certified Gluten Free” statement
- “Contains less than 20ppm gluten”
- No ingredients derived from wheat, barley, rye or malt
Only purchase flavors with these indicators to ensure you are getting a Talenti flavor that is safe for gluten free diets. Talenti also manufactures its gluten free flavors in a separate facility from its conventional gelato to avoid cross-contamination.
Nutritional Profile of Talenti Gluten Free Gelato
In addition to being gluten free, Talenti gelato offers a nutritional profile similar to premium ice creams. A 1/2 cup serving of Talenti gluten free gelato contains approximately:
- Calories: 140-250
- Total Fat: 7-14g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5-9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 25-50mg
- Sodium: 60-120mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 15-29g
- Dietary Fiber: 0-4g
- Total Sugars: 12-24g
- Added Sugars: 0-14g
- Protein: 2-6g
- Calcium: 8-15% DV
- Iron: 0-6% DV
- Potassium: 2-6% DV
- Vitamin A: 2-10% DV
- Vitamin C: 2-15% DV
The nutritional values vary across Talenti’s gluten free flavors based on the specific ingredients. Those limiting sugar intake may want to pay close attention to the total sugar and added sugar amounts.
Where to Buy Talenti Gluten Free Gelato
Talenti gelato is sold in grocery stores, supermarkets, warehouse clubs, and mass retailers nationwide. National chains where you can find Talenti certified gluten free gelato flavors include:
- Albertsons
- Costco
- Fresh Market
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway
- Sam’s Club
- ShopRite
- Sprouts
- Target
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
Talenti gluten free gelato is typically stocked in the frozen desserts section, often near other premium ice creams and non-dairy desserts. Talenti’s website includes a product locator to help find stores carrying Talenti gelato near your location.
Tips for Enjoying Talenti Gluten Free Gelato
Here are some helpful tips for incorporating Talenti’s gluten free gelato into your diet:
- Check the labels carefully and only select certified gluten free flavors
- Serve gelato slightly softened instead of fully frozen for best texture
- Pair fruit flavors with fresh fruit toppings like berries or sliced peaches
- Drizzle chocolate flavors with nut butters, caramel, or fudge sauce
- Use gelato as a topping for crepes, waffles, pancakes, or dessert pizzas
- Blend into smoothies for a rich, creamy texture
- Mix with gluten free cookies or brownies and freeze into ice cream sandwiches
- Serve in a gluten free cone or bowl for an ice cream sundae
With so many gluten free options, Talenti gelato makes it easy to find a cool, creamy treat to satisfy your cravings without the gluten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all Talenti gelato gluten free?
No, not all Talenti gelato flavors are gluten free. Talenti offers a line of flavors that are certified gluten free, but many flavors contain gluten from ingredients like cookies, cookie dough, cake pieces, or wheat-based thickeners.
What ingredients make Talenti gelato not gluten free?
Talenti gelato flavors contain gluten when they include ingredients derived from prohibited grains like wheat, barley, rye, and malt. This includes cookie pieces, cake pieces, spices that contain gluten, and wheat-based thickeners. Always check the ingredients list for these before consuming.
Does Talenti use wheat in their gluten free gelato?
No. Talenti’s certified gluten free gelato flavors do not contain any wheat or wheat-based ingredients. Their gluten free flavors are produced in a separate facility from their conventional gelato to prevent cross-contamination from ingredients containing gluten.
Is Talenti gelato safe for people with celiac disease?
People with celiac disease need to only consume Talenti’s certified gluten free flavors to ensure safety. The gluten free flavors are third party tested to verify they contain less than 20ppm of gluten. Consuming other Talenti flavors with gluten could cause adverse reactions for those with celiac.
Does Talenti gelato contain dairy?
Yes, Talenti gelato contains milk and cream in the base along with eggs. Those with dairy allergies or sensitivities need to avoid Talenti gelato. Some stores may carry alternate gelato or sorbetto options that are dairy free.
The Bottom Line
When choosing a delicious gluten free frozen dessert, Talenti gelato provides a tasty option. With a variety of fruit, chocolate, nutty, coffee, and other flavors certified gluten free, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities can enjoy the smooth, creamy Italian-style gelato Talenti is known for. Just remember to always check labels and purchase only the Talenti flavors marked as certified gluten free.
