Alright, so today’s little adventure is all about peas. Yeah, those tiny green things! The big question? “Are peas gluten free?” I figured, instead of just googling it (which, let’s be honest, I totally did initially), I’d do a little digging and a taste test, just for kicks.
First things first, I hit up the grocery store. Grabbed a bag of frozen peas – the plain, unflavored kind. You gotta start with the basics, right? I also snagged a can of peas, just to compare. Figured different processing might change things.
Back home, I read the labels. Like, REALLY read them. Checked for any sneaky ingredients like modified food starch or hidden wheat flour. Nothing suspicious on either the frozen or canned peas. Just peas, water (in the canned ones), and maybe a little salt.
Okay, so far so good. But labels can be deceiving. Time for the taste test! I steamed a handful of the frozen peas. Nice and bright green. Popped one in my mouth. Tasted like…peas. Earthy, a little sweet. No weird floury aftertaste or anything that screamed “gluten!”
Next, the canned peas. Drained ’em, rinsed ’em (cuz that canned taste can be intense), and tried ’em. Again, just tasted like peas. A little softer than the frozen ones, obviously, but no gluten-y vibes.
Now, to be extra sure, I did some online sleuthing beyond just the initial Google search. I checked a couple of reputable gluten-free websites and forums. And wouldn’t you know it, they all said pretty much the same thing: plain peas are naturally gluten-free.
But here’s the catch – and there’s always a catch, isn’t there? It’s all about what you do with the peas. If you’re making, say, creamed peas and use wheat flour to thicken the sauce, BAM! Gluten bomb. Or if you’re buying pre-made pea soup, you gotta double-check the ingredients. Companies love to sneak gluten into the weirdest places.
So, the verdict? Plain, unadulterated peas – frozen, canned, fresh – are generally gluten-free. Just watch out for added ingredients in prepared dishes. Always read those labels, people!
Ultimately I felt pretty confident after tasting, investigating and researching. Now I can confidently enjoy my peas!