Free From and Full of Flavour

The health aisle is a haven for "free from" foods - whether looking for gluten free, dairy free, nut free or egg free - holds an abundance of product options for those trying to avoid certain ingredients.

For years, “free-from” foods were seen as second best, functional and necessary but often bland, dry, or with poor composition. Whether it was dairy-free spreads or gluten-free breads, the flavour experience rarely matched the promise on the label. But the tide has turned. Today, free-from products are right in the race, championing exciting, well-balanced and carefully crafted flavour. Whether consumers are dairy-free, gluten-intolerant, or just looking to eat more mindfully, they no longer have to compromise on taste or texture.

Take plant-based butters, for example. Once watery and one-dimensional, they're now rich, smooth, and packed with natural flavours. Ingredients like roasted garlic, wild herbs, miso, smoked salt, and even truffle oil are transforming these spreads into something worth celebrating. They melt beautifully into hot dishes, elevate simple breads, and stand on their own as flavourful cooking tools, not just an alternative kept in the back of the fridge for your free-from friend.

The same goes for gluten-free breads, which have historically struggled with texture and flavour. Modern recipes are focusing less on just “imitating wheat” and more on bringing out the best in ancient grains, seeds and fermentation techniques. The result? Sourdough-style loaves with real tang, seeded buns with crunch and depth, and flatbreads that can hold their own in any meal.

This evolution in flavour is proof that “free from” no longer means flavour-free. These foods are now being made with the same creativity, care and culinary vision as their conventional counterparts.

At The Natural Food Trading Company, we’re proud to stock products that reflect and support this shift, where integrity of ingredients meets bold, satisfying flavour. Free-from now means discovering something new, something better, and something genuinely delicious. Contact your Account Manager today, or email us at info@nftc.com.au, to find out more about how we can support you in the creation of flavourful free from products.