Gluten has been in the news a lot, lately, and I’ve had many people ask me what it is.

Gluten is a protein that’s found in rye, wheat and barley. This protein is what makes bread chewy, allows bread to rise and also gives bread its absorbent quality (something very important to those of us who MUST dip their bread in olive oil or red sauce, and you know who you are).People who are allergic to gluten suffer from Celiac Disease, a genetic disorder that more commonly affects those of Northern European descent. For these individuals, gluten-free foods are a must and can be found in both grocery and health food stores.