Gluten-free bread mixes made for the home kitchen are what this Whangārei company is known for. The Alternative Bread Company is a family-owned business, now in its third generation, based at 7 Tuatara Drive in Te Kamo. Its range includes a rustic white bread mix, a wholesome bread mix, a wholesome spiced bread mix, a fruit loaf mix and a gluten-free scone mix, along with starter kits for first-time bakers. The mixes are free of dairy, nut, egg and soy, and the company says its recipes draw on 30 years of coeliac know-how.
Customers describe the bread as soft and easy to slice, and some say it does not need toasting to taste good. One customer with coeliac disease said it made a jam sandwich possible again, and a parent of a toddler who cannot eat gluten said the child loves it. Reviewers also praise the careful packaging and quick delivery to the door, and they describe the prices as reasonable for gluten-free baking. The mixes suit anyone baking for someone who cannot eat gluten, whether for a birthday or a smoko basket.