Gluten-Free in Italy? Oh Yes, It’s Delicious!

Gluten-free food often gets a bad rap for being dry, bland or overly processed. But in Italy it’s a completely different story. Whether you're buying gluten-
free products from a supermarket or dining out in a certified restaurant, chances are you’ll be surprised by how good everything tastes. 
Here’s why gluten-free food in Italy is genuinely delicious:

1. Italy Takes Gluten Intolerance Seriously

Italy is one of the most coeliac-aware countries in the world. By law, coeliac disease is recognised as a medical condition and those diagnosed receive a monthly 
stipend from the national healthcare system to purchase gluten-free food. This state support has fuelled a large domestic market for high-quality gluten-free alternatives. 
In short: there’s real demand, so producers have to get it right.

2. Strict Standards from the AIC (Italian Coeliac Association)

Restaurants, bakeries, and even hotels undergo strict certification by the Associazione Italiana Celiachia (AIC) to serve gluten-free food. This ensures not
only food safety, but also consistency in quality and flavour. They’re not just making food that’s “good enough”, they’re making food that Italians with coeliac disease
actually want to eat every day.

3. Focus on Fresh, Traditional Ingredients

A lot of Italian cuisine is built on naturally gluten-free ingredients like rice, maize (corn), chickpeas, polenta, potatoes and fresh vegetables. Italian gluten-free products
 often follow the same culinary principles: keep it simple, use fewer preservatives and let real ingredients shine.

Many gluten-free pastas in Italy, for example, are made from 100% corn or a rice-corn blend, producing a texture and flavour very close to wheat-based pasta, without 
the gumminess you might find in lower-quality brands.

4. Gluten-Free Artisanship in Baking

Italian bakers treat gluten-free baking as a craft, not a compromise. Cities like Milan, Rome and Naples have dedicated gluten-free bakeries that make
everything from focaccia and pizza to croissants and cannoli, without sacrificing taste or texture.

These bakers experiment with different flour blends (like chestnut, almond, buckwheat or rice flour) and long fermentation times to create structure and flavour. 
The result? Gluten-free bread and pizza with a proper crust, chew and taste.

Let’s be honest: food is serious business in Italy. Whether it’s gluten-free or not, it’s got to taste good. Italian chefs, bakers and food producers have a deep
understanding of flavour, balance, and tradition, and they apply the same standards to gluten-free products. At ItalianSupermarkets.com we bring these products
straight from Italy to your door. From trusted brands like Schär, Nutrifree and Piaceri Mediterranei, to artisan-style gluten-free pasta, flours, snacks and biscuits,
you’ll find everything you need to cook and eat well, without gluten and without compromise.