Gluten-Free Diet: Review of Hannah International Foods

Just a few years ago, a gluten-free diet equated to a life of deprivation. Gluten-free (GF) food was boring and bland. Basic sauces and dips were difficult to find. Delicious GF sauces and dips were practically non-existent. Over the years, gluten-free products have changed for the better.

According to a Minnesota Public Radio article titled, "Big Brands Move Into Growing Gluten-Free Market," the GF market in 2004 was worth $580 million. By 2012, the GF market is expected to shoot to a whopping $2.6 billion. Why the jump? Every year, more and more people are being diagnosed with Celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an inherited auto-immune disease that destroys the body's ability to digest the storage proteins, commonly referred to as "gluten," found in wheat, barley, and rye. The only known treatment for Celiac disease is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet.

Food producers are responding favorably to the growing demand for GF products. They're producing innovative, better quality, delicious GF foods. An excellent example of such a company is Hannah International Foods.

Hannah International Foods produces a wide array of GF sauces, dips and salads. According to their website, Abraham Hannah, founder of Hannah International Foods, couldn't find the beloved protein-rich food, called hommus that he'd eaten in Lebanon. He decided to open a kitchen and make it himself, using his wife's authentic recipe. He produced several other regional foods, as well. He sold them in the Boston area.

His venture took off, so he brought son, George, into the business. Today, Hannah Foods is a multi-million dollar manufacturer of a number of dips, spreads, and salads. Hannah Foods' prides itself in using the best ingredients they can find from the United States or abroad.

According to a company representative, all of Hannah Foods' products are GF, except the taboule, a salad made with bulgur wheat. In addition, their GF products aren't produced on machinery previously exposed to gluten.

I found 4 delicious Hannah GF products at my city's Costco Wholesale Store. I'm hoping more of Hannah's products will be available there, and elsewhere, in the future.

Hannah Gluten-Free Hommus

Hannah Classic Hommus has become a staple at my house. It has a thick, creamy texture and a mild taste. According to its label, it's made from chick peas, tahini (crushed sesame seeds), canola oil, water, garlic, sea salt, citric acid, extra-virgin-olive oil, preservatives, and spices.

Hannah Hommus is delicious on raw vegetables, such a broccoli and cauliflower. It's also delicious on gluten-free crackers, like my favorite Crunch Master Multi-Grain Crackers, found at Costco and Sam's.

Hannah Hommus comes in several additional varieties, including: Organic Classic Hommus, Organic Cilantro Jalapeno Hommus, Organic Roasted Garlic Hommus. Organic Red Pepper Hommus, and All Natural Roasted Pepper Hommus. I haven't tried these varieties yet, but hope to find them in the future.

Hannah Hommus comes in a 2 lb. tub and sells for $5.99 at Costco.

Hannah Gluten-Free Bruschetta

Hannah Bruschetta may look like an ordinary jar of salsa, but looks are deceiving. It's a Mediterranean version of salsa. According to the product label, it's made with "the freshest hand selected ripe plum tomatoes, herbs, garlic, canola and extra virgin olive oils, and sea salt." It's a taste to die for! I love a toasted piece of Udi's Gluten-Free Bread topped with Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage (it's GF) and Hannah Bruschetta. It's like having a great piece of pizza, truly delicious!

The Hannah Bruschetta label says it "can be used on pasta, as a pizza sauce, on salads, on meats, or in sauces." It's not too expensive, either. A large 39 oz. jar, sells for $6.99 at Costco.

Hannah Gluten-Free Tzatziki Greek Style Yogurt Dip

I remember well the 1^st time I tried a gyro a local mall. I loved the mingling tastes of the cucumber sauce and the lamb. Hannah's Tzatziki tastes much like the gyro sauce I remember. It's smooth and thick and has the delicate flavor of cucumbers.

According to Hannah's website, Tzatziki is made from sour cream, yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic." It makes a great appetizer.

Tzatziki is a wonderful sauce for fish tacos. It's also delicious with a spicy gluten-free sausage, such as Casual Gourmet's Chicken Sausage with Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach. A little Tzatziki goes a long way to add the punch of flavor we gluten-free dieters long for.

A 1lb 8oz container sells for $5.99 at Costco.

Hannah Gluten-Free Spinach Dip

I make a mean homemade spinach dip, but I have to say that Hannah Gluten-Free Spinach Dip is just as good and easier. The dip is full of garden fresh vegetables and is a tasty low-carb snack.

There are occasions we all need a break, right? If you put this dip in your own bowl, no one would guess it was ready-made. I like win-win. Tasty and convenient.

A 32 oz. container sells for 6.99 at Costco.

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A big thank you to Hannah International Foods for delicious GF sauces and dips.I look forward to more GF food products in the future.

Sources: Personal Experience; Hannah International Foods Website