The Verdict on Free From Mince Pies

This day week we’ll be lying on our backs wishing that we hadn’t eaten so much the previous day ... but that's only because there are SO many wonderful allergy friendly foods on the market now, and thus, absolutely NO reason to go hungry at Christmas... but remember, pace yourself. Just because you’re not allergic or intolerant to it doesn’t mean that eating the whole box won’t make you feel sick!

So, on the last 5-6 days before Christmas I thought it essential to do a cross reference of some of the Free From Allergy Friendly Mince Pies on the market this year. Of course, I couldn’t try ALL of them, but I hope what I did try will help you in your shopping and your Christmas feasting.

[UPDATE NOTE: I just had the MOST wonderful Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Wheat Free & Yeast Free Mince Pies - with NO Potato either... see December 22nd 2011's Post "The Most Amazing Gluten, Wheat, Dairy & Yeast Free Mince Pies"]

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Lovemore’s Free From Mince Pies

The tops are rather hard (almost crispy on the edges) but the filling is super moist and you can definitely taste the brandy. There is a bit of the famous gluten free (and soy free) dry aftertaste but I have experienced the same with other 'gluten filled' mince pies from time to time. The pastry is quite spicy (in a home baked nutmeg and clove kind of way) and although Lovemore’s Free From Mince Pies don’t rock my world they’re not a bad alternative and I wouldn’t be completely disappointed to see them on the table during the Christmas season. Available at Nourish and Health Matters: €3.99 approx for a box of 4

- Gluten Free
- Wheat Free
- Milk Free
- Soya Free
- No added Nuts (note: but made in factory that handles nuts)
- Vegetarian

Ingredients: mincemeat (49%) [vine fruits (29%), Bramley Apple puree, Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Maize Flour, Vegetable Oil], Palm oil, rice flour, maize starch, potato starch, grabulated sugar, dextrose, maize flour, liquid egg, beet fibre, raising agents: diphosphates, potassium hydrogen carbonate; stabilizer: xanthan gum; salt, preservative: potassium sorbate; emulsifiers: polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

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The Foods of Athenry

Definitely My favourite Mince Pies this year. The box is beautiful, the Pies are beautiful and they definitely have the best Gluten Free pastry of the bunch. My only compaint is that the pastry is VERY crumbly, so much so that it is quite difficult to get the pies out of their tin cups in one piece. But the taste is good so the perseverance is well awarded. The filling is heavy in peel and a bit thicker than other brands but not dry. they definitely get my thumbs up and are my standing favourite amoung the Gluten and Wheat Free and well as the Gluten and Wheat Filled. Available in Numerous Health Food Shops and Gourmet Grocers. Definitely available at The Hopsack and Fresh, The Good Food Market: €5.49 approx. for a box of 4

- Dairy Free
- Wheat Free
- Gluten Free
- Egg Free
- Soya Free (I rang and confirmed)
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Free From Hydrogenated Fats
- No Artificial Colours
- No Artificial Flavours
- No Artificial Preservatives

Ingredients: Pastry: Gluten Free Flour (Rice, Potato, Tapioca, Maize & Buckwheat), 100% Vegetable Non-Hydrogenated Margarine, Sugar, Raising Agents (Mono Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Xanthan Gum. Mincemeat Filling (50%): Sultanas, Sugar, Apple, Raisins, Fresh Grated Carrot, Dates, Apricots, Mixed Citrus Peel, Currants, Glace Cherries, Vegetable Suet, Brandy, Irish Cider, Glucose Syrup, Mixed Nuts, Walnuts, Maize, Mixed Spice, Lemon Juice, Acidity Regulator: Acetic Acid, Plain Caramel, Orange Rind Oil, Lemon Rind Oil.
Allergen Information: Contains Nuts


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Sargents 6 Standard Shallow Mince Pies

Sargents mince pies are of bargain basement quality. They are very shallow and just happen to be naturally Dairy Free. They are not a dedicated ‘Food Allergy Free’ product, and although they naturally do not contain many common allergens, there are a few ‘may contain’ warnings which I have listed below. SO, that means, Sargent’s is strictly for the food intolerant gambler looking for a bargain. The filling is at a minimum and is definitely dryer than other brands whereas the pastry is softer but contains a slight dryness in taste. In general, they are exactly what you would expect from the extreme bargain price. Available at Dunnes Stores: €1.89 approx. for a pack of 6

- Dairy Free (Note: has a may contain traces of warning)
- Egg Free (Note: has a may contain traces of warning)
- Nut Free (Note: has a may contain traces of warning)
- Soya Free (Note: has a may contain traces of warning)
- No Artificial Colour
- No Artificial Flavours

Ingredients: Pastry: Wheat Flour, Vegetable Shortening [Palm and Rapeseed Oils], Vegetable Margarine [Palm and Rapeseed Oils, Water, Salt, Emulsifier (E475), Sugar, Water, Salt. Mincemeat Filling (35%): Sultanas, Acetic Bramley Apple Pulp (Bramley Apple, Acetic Acid), Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Candied Orange and Lemon Peel [Contains Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Sugar, Acidity Regulator (E330), Preservatives (E220)], Vegetable Suet (Vegetable Oil, Rice Flour), Water, Modified Maize Starch, Mixed Spice (Coriander, Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Caraway, Cloves), Raisins, Colour (E150a), Orange Oil.
Contains: Wheat, Gluten, Sulphites. May contain traces of nuts, milk, eggs or soya.


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Blazing Salads

The Blazing Salads mince pies are freshly baked and sold separately. They are a bit of a different beast because they are Free From Sugar, which makes it more difficult to compete. But my final verdict is that the pastry is quite hard on the base but the filling is very moist and super fruity. I actually think that they contain rhubarb which makes for a bit of a change. My friend S. was very disappointed with them whereas my friend A. quite liked them. I thought them messy to look at but OK in taste, albeit not as ‘Christmasy’ tasting as other brands. But on the whole I think they are a good alternative for people looking for a Sugar Free healthier option. Available from the Blazing Salads Deli. €1.45 each

- Dairy Free
- Egg Free
- Sugar Free
- Yeast Free
- Vegetarian
- Vegan

Full ingredients unavailable

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Happy Mince Pie Eating!