Passover 5772 Taste Test: Gluten-Free Matzah

Passover starts in less than three weeks.

This likely has many of you in the throes of gastric distress, not just for the epic cleaning to be done but for the anticipation of eight straight days of eating matzah. It’s not called the “the bread of affliction” for nothing, people.

I cannot, and will not, help you sweep stale pieces of Kashi out of the corners of your kitchen. But I can help prevent the uncomfortable binding sensation: Gluten-free matzah.

Yes, going gluten-free is super trendy these days, and those of us with gluten sensitivities deeply appreciate Yehuda’s addition to the wheatless pantry. Instead of wheat flour, this flat food is made of tapioca starch, potato starch, potato flour, pressed palm oil, natural vinegar, egg yolks, honey, and salt.

But can it really be Passover without the usual bland Streit’s squares?

Hmm, let’s see: Looks like matzah, with those weird little hyphen-shaped holes. It’s got the Orthodox Union hechsher on it with “Kosher for Passover.” (However, the OU does not recommend it for use at the seder for “sacramental purposes.”)

The Yenta family conducted a taste test of a box of Yehuda Gluten Free Mazto-style Squares last week with much skepticism. The three other members have in the past pronounced their displeasure with certain gluten-free meal experiments such as corn pasta and spelt challah. However, with a five-dollar bribe (which I will be writing off next year as “research”,) they were convinced to crack the crackers.

Yenta Boy reported that Yehudas were saltier than regular matzah but had a nice, light texture. Most importantly, he wanted to know “If we use it for the afikomen and I find it, do I get another five bucks?”

Little Yenta Girl was an easy sell. In fact, she chewed thoughtfully through three pieces before announcing that she needed just one more to make sure she really, really liked them.

Then came El Yenta Man, who lumps “gluten-free” into the “silly New Age sh*t” category in his brain. “These are actually really good,” he gasped, wide-eyed. Then his eyes narrowed. “But that doesn’t mean you can serve those gross hamburger buns again.”

Me, I think they taste exactly like Pringles. Without the MSG and other nasties, natch.

Also (most awesomely) available from Yehuda: Gluten-free noodles. Hellloooo raisin kugel!

Looking forward to a delish, digestively-peaceful Pesach.

3 thoughts on “Passover 5772 Taste Test: Gluten-Free Matzah

  1. Thank you for posting this review. I bought this matzah for my father last year, but he is not picky. He just appreciates that there is a gluten free option when he comes to visit for Pesach. However, I am planning on eating it this year. My son is looking forward to making matzah brei, and now I can make it with him and eat it too!

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