Gloriously Gluten Free PERK!ER Porridges
After going gluten free in 2009 Ann Perkins discovered a few things; first she started to feel a lot better and had loads more energy; second, she realised she had a lot less choice in food, and that a lot of gluten free food is inferior in quality and more expensive than the gluten containing alternative.
So in 2011, Ann, together with Steven Turner, decided to give up their jobs and think of ways they could make life better for everyone who has to avoid eating gluten. And PERK!ER was established in 2012. The PERK!ER range includes crusty white and seeded multigrain bread, brownies with white chocolate chunks, Rocky Roads, Popping Tiffin, Brownie Pops and gluten free porridge in a variety of flavours.
We caught up with Ann at the Natural & Organic Trade Show, where she introduced us to the PERK!ER range and we left with a box of their Fruit Berry Porridge to try for ourselves.
PERK!ER Fruit Berry porridges are high in fibre, keep you fuller for longer, low in fat, and made from natural ingredients; packed with gluten free oats, raisins, cranberries and natural strawberry flavouring, while being free from gluten, wheat, eggs and milk.
What better way to start the day? As you open the box and pour the mix into the saucepan you would be hard pressed to not notice the delicious scent of the strawberry flavouring. The mix has a good balance of added fruits, and the 450g box contains approx. 10 servings (rrp. £3.99). We added some unsweetened almond milk to the porridge mix and gently simmered for a few minutes, until cooked. The added raisins and cranberries give the oats a great lift and we do not feel the need to add any extra sweeteners or sugar to the bowl, although adding some fresh cranberries and raspberries on top is the icing on the cake for this moreish meal.
Oats contain more soluble fibre than any other grain, resulting in slower digestion helping you feel fuller for longer. A great way to start the day by holding off mid-morning hunger pains and helping you to avoid the temptation of sugary snacks.
We also taste-tested a Fruity Berry Porridge Pot. These are great for people on the go who don't have time for breakfast in the morning and take a snack pot to work with them. Complete with skimmed milk powder, these handy pots only need to have the boiling water added and are ready to eat in two minutes. Our only preference would be that they didn't come with added sweetener because aside from feeling it interferes with the taste, we prefer to add our own if desired.
Our taste test verdict: If their porridge is anything to go by, we can't wait to try the rest of the PERK!ER range. For more information and to shop online and try PERK!ER products for yourself, visit www.perkier.co.uk