Shop at Ethnic Grocery Stores for Interesting Gluten-free Grains and Flours

Do you ever wonder where you can buy gluten-free grains and flours for a discount? Check out your local ethnic markets for terrific prices and variety.

One of the most frustrating aspects of being on a gluten-free diet is the cost of food.  Whether you are buying a prepared food or a bag of flour, the prices seem to be higher than “regular” food.

Next time you drive past an ethnic market or grocery store, stop in and see what they have to offer. Asian markets offer various rice flours.  Middle Eastern and Indian markets provide a wide variety of bean flours and alternative grains.  Mexican markets have many types of corn flours and root vegetable flours, such as yucca and arrowroot.

Be aware that these flours most likely were not packaged in a dedicated gluten-free facility.  So if you are very sensitive or have celiac disease, you should check the source of the product, as you should with any gluten-free product.

Here are a few flour substitutes that you can purchase at your local ethnic market:

Bajri Flour (Indian Market) substitute for Sorghum Flour.
Cassava Flour (Hispanic Market) substitute for Tapioca Starch.
Corn Starch (Hispanic Market) substitute for Potato Starch.
Sorghum Flour (Indian or African Markets) substitute for Potato or Rice Flours

[Editor addition] Rice and Tapioca Flours (Asian Markets – Korean or Chinese)

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Author Information: Jen Cafferty, Chicago, IL
Jen Cafferty, Founder, The Gluten Free Cooking Expo
Website: www.glutenfreeclasses.com
Blog: http://www.glutenfreeexpo.wordpress.com