So many ingredients that should be gluten free may have been contaminated during some stage of their harvesting, processing, packaging, or preparation. With so many variables, it’s very difficult to be sure. The best course is to only spend your money on purchasing foods and beverages from reputable sources. The gluten free and celiac community becomes stronger every day, so be sure to use all of the resources you can when making purchasing decisions or just enjoying a quick cup of coffee.
Yes. Coffee is usually gluten free, but surprisingly, it’s not always the case. As one of the favorite and most widely available drinks found all over the world, coffee is a major part of many people’s daily diets, including those with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease. Along with a wide range of origins, fermenting styles, and roasting styles, coffee provides a seemingly infinite amount of drink combinations.
It’s important to remember that traditional coffee (or coffee with milk or cream) does not contain gluten, but many types of “coffee drinks” are not gluten free!
Coffee has been brewed in its modern form since roughly the 1400s and the first records came from modern-day Yemen. Coffee beans are the seeds of berries from the flowering coffee plant. These beans are fermented, dried, and roasted. The beans are then ground to a powder and hot water is passed through them. That’s what we know as traditional coffee. The bean - from the plant to your cup - does not need to come into contact with any sort of gluten. So, why does this sometimes happen?
When buying coffee at a local market or coffee roaster, be careful about the grinding machine. The machine may have been unknowingly contaminated by a glutenous product by another store customer. These self-service grinding machines may be convenient, but it can be a gamble. Instead, buy your coffee at a roaster where you know the professionals are going to be handling the machine and cleaning it. These roasters will often be quite aware of the dangers of gluten in coffee. Don’t be afraid to ask!
It’s not traditional coffee that’s the culprit. It’s “coffee drinks.” Sometimes the additives to a coffee drink contain gluten and it’s very hard to know which ones do. For someone with a gluten intolerance or celiac disease, it’s important to keep tabs on exactly how your coffee is made. Unfortunately, this means either maintaining a close relationship with your favorite coffee shops or sticking to traditional coffee.
Some of the coffee drinks made by Starbucks are gluten free, but not all of them. Thankfully, Starbucks Coffee has an incredibly high level of consistency across their thousands of locations around the world. Their comprehensive training program has also developed a high safety record when it comes to cross-contamination. The staff is also very likely to be prepared to answer any of your gluten free questions. However, it’s still important to know what to look for when you order from Starbucks.
The gluten free coffee options at Starbucks include, but are not limited to: plain filtered coffee, espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Note that all of these options do not involve any sort of flavoring because that’s where the gluten may be hiding in plain sight.
Some, but not all, of Starbucks Coffee’s coffee flavoring additives contain gluten. Their recipes for these proprietary drinks are protected, so it’s not exactly known which ones do and which ones do not. So, it’s best to stick to the basics when you enter a Starbucks location.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free coffee alternative, Teeccino herbal coffee is an excellent option. Made with roasted herbs, roots, and other natural ingredients, Teeccino is entirely gluten-free and caffeine-free, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy a coffee-like experience without worrying about gluten or caffeine content. It’s a flavorful and safe choice for anyone with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
There are so many drinks that work well with a gluten-free diet. Some beverages are inherently glutenous, others may have glutenous ingredients, and most have nothing to do with gluten at all. Let’s look at which drinks are broadly gluten-free. Chances are good if you don’t see your favorite drink in this list, it probably isn’t compatible with a gluten free diet.
The following drinks are inherently gluten free, unless the product was contaminated by another glutenous product. Make sure to double check for any gluten free labels if you’re unsure.
Teas: Tea is a collection of dried and fermented tea leaves that has been boiled and steeped. Pure and fresh tea is always gluten free. However, it’s possible that the product has been contaminated during packaging or processing.
Fruit Juices: All fruits are inherently gluten free as well as all of the juices that can come from them. Fresh fruits that have been thoroughly washed are always a safe bet when you’re getting ready to juice. It’s the pre-cut fruits and dried fruits, such as those in cans or freezer bags that may contain gluten through cross-contamination. Fresh-squeezed is always better (on so many levels).
Smoothies: Prepared smoothies could contain gluten; homemade smoothies do not. Check the fruits you use and see where they were prepped. Some dried nuts, nut powders, dairy products, and other protein powders may have been processed in a facility that also processes gluten ingredients. Be sure to always check the labeling on the product or buy from a gluten free certified seller.
Wines: The delicious fermented grape drink is almost always gluten free. Certain winemakers use glutenous products during the filtration process that are filtered out with the other debris. The practice is slowly going out of fashion, but it’s still common in wineries in the Old World. Look for labels that are certified gluten-free.
Vodkas, Gins, Tequilas, Hard Ciders: All of these alcoholic drinks are devoid from gluten in their normal state. Flavored versions of these drinks, however, may contain trace amounts of gluten from the added ingredients.
The drinks in this section most commonly contain gluten, but it’s possible to find versions that are gluten-free. Look for labels of gluten free certifications.
Beer: Most beer made from wheat or barley, hops, yeast, and water. Other ingredient substitutions are possible that will replace the glutenous wheat or barley, such as rice, buckwheat, or sorghum. While these beers may have a very low gluten count in parts per million, they may not be entirely devoid of gluten particles due to the processing facility. Always check labels, and avoid beer entirely if you’re celiac or have a strong gluten sensitivity.
Whiskey: This drink has a similar process to beer and contains many of the same ingredients. Whiskey is distilled and filtered multiple times during its manufacturing. The Celiac Disease Foundation has found that, despite the ingredients involved, virtually all traces of gluten have been removed in the distilling process. Some celiacs have, however, reported feeling the effects of gluten after drinking whiskey. It’s safe, but as always there is a small risk of contamination involved.
Teeccino herbal coffee has gained popularity as a caffeine-free alternative to traditional coffee, but many health-conscious consumers wonder about its gluten content and suitability for specific dietary needs. This guide answers pressing questions about Teeccino's ingredients, health benefits, and how it fits into a gluten-free lifestyle.
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