Gluten Free Bread in Toronto / North York

So I've been in Toronto for a couple months already and have been finding it very hard to find a  decent gluten free loaf of bread at a reasonable price.  Back in Ottawa I would usually buy it from Wild Oat for $5.  But you'd expect to have something comparable in the big city, right?

Anyone with a gluten intolerance misses the texture of a wheat bread.  So often we are using this as the point of reference for what we desire in a GF bread.  That's the problem.  The characteristics of rice flour, bean flour, corn flour, tapioca and/or chickpea flour are quite different than that of wheat.  It's like trying to recreate an Oxygen atom with a Hydrogen atom.  It's just not going to work (.. at least not that I know of).

So going back to the topic, I have been running around to all these GF bakeries in Toronto that are suggested on BlogTo and have come back with very little success.  I've tried the loaves and desserts and so far, I'm not very impressed.

In respect to the sweets, I found that more than often, there was abundance of sugar being used which is simply unnecessary.  Enough to put a dozen diabetics into a coma off one cupcake.  You know who you are!  You can't replace what GF products lack with sugar.  Or maybe you can, seeing that you are in still in business.  So please do us a favor, cut down on the white stuff.

Living in North York, we don't have the convenience of having the variety of mom and pop shops that those living downtown do. So we have to find most of our groceries at big chains like Loblaws, Metro, No Frills, Food Basics, etc.

 It seems Loblaws is the only chain that carries a few choices of Gluten Free bread products.  Up until recently they have always been in a freezer.  The lowest on the price scale, is usually around $5.99.  Unfortunately, I've tried them all and they are, how can I put this nicely, CRAP!  I don't even need to name the companies, because you'll know what I'm talking about when you get there.

Let's get to the point.  After all the trial and error, I've managed to narrow it down to one bakery which is Yoshi's Sweets down on Queen Street East.  Though initially on my first visit, I found it quite expensive, I later learned that they would be selling it in Loblaws for a lower price of $5.99.

So far, this loaf has had the best taste/texture combination I've had in Toronto.  The price is okay, but the ingredients often make up for it.  Also to my surprise, Loblaws didn't stick Yoshi's bread into the freezer like the rest of them.  They actually had their own little gluten free space in the bread section!

Before I depart, keep in mind that because the bread is not put in the freezer you have to be very careful with the expiry date on the bread.  My wife got food poisoning by ingesting some mold on our last loaf, so be sure to throw it in the fridge/freezer right away to preserve it longer.

Yes I know, it's not a great way to end a plug, but I'm sure we'll continue buying Yoshi's bread because there's no other choice and it taste good when it's fresh.  Caveat Emptor.

UPDATE (December 6th, 2014):  Unfortunately, Yoshi's is no longer sold in mass anymore.  

Reflections: Toronto

Canada's big smoke.

A pool of immigrants from various parts of the world, all here for different reasons.  I'm sure the face of Toronto has changed dramatically in the last 20 years.  In fact, I can bet that 20 years ago, most people could speak English.

Well things have clearly changed.

As I walk down the street I can't help but to stick my nosy ears out in reaction to dialogue I'm unfamiliar with.  It's not because I'm a snoopy freak or anything of course.  It's more of a curiosity and fascination with something new or exotic.

Well it's been close to a month being in Toronto and let's say that I'm starting to settle in just fine.  In fact it feels as if I never left Asia.  I can walk down the street and not see one English sign on the store.  Yes that's right.  I live in the North York area of Toronto.  AKA Korea Town. (There is one situated on Bloor St. as well).

There are definitely some great advantages to living in this area: affordable kimchi, asian groceries, and the feeling of being in Asia when you're really in Canada!

Towards the west, you will see more Jews.  To the north, you will see more Chinese.  To the south, more WASPs. And in the East, I can't really tell yet.  Let's just say, this area of Toronto is just one lovely multi-colored chocolate chip cookie! And there's plenty of room for more chocolate chips.

This is what is beautiful about this city.  I can hop on the subway and access a wealth of culture, be it Spaghetti (which I likely couldn't eat) from Little Italy, Dosa's from Little India, Kebab's from Greektown, Congee from Chinatown, etc. etc. and the list goes on.  You can find pretty much whatever you need!

(Apparently my definition of culture pertains only to food.)

What once was a 4.5 hour drive is now a place that I can call my home.