Gastritis Patient Says, "Hey, You Can Eat Bread Too."
The editor, who suffered from gastritis for a while, found it difficult because there were many things they couldn't eat, but the most challenging were alcohol and flour. For a self-proclaimed bread lover, being forbidden from flour?what kind of cruel twist of fate is this...! While feeling frustrated, the editor discovered that there is a castella cake made without flour, meaning it contains no gluten*! Overjoyed, they rushed to purchase it from Starbucks and Market Kurly.
*What is gluten? It is an insoluble protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, and oats, which is known to be hard to digest.
It is said that people with digestive issues like gastritis or esophagitis, or those who cannot eat flour, can also enjoy this. Is there any bread kinder than this! Without further ado, here is the editor’s tasting review. (Please check the ingredient list for exact components.)
Babi Bread Rice Castella
This rice castella purchased from Market Kurly was made from 100% organic rice instead of flour, so the editor felt safe eating it. The castella, shining as if soaked in honey, had a strong sweet taste when eaten. There were six pieces in total, and the editor felt the quantity was slightly small for the price (8,500 KRW). Maybe the editor was just starving for bread.
Also, unlike flour castella, it did not have a fluffy texture but was moist, slightly chewy, and elastic. It felt substantial enough to be a meal substitute. Being organic, it is also recommended as a snack for children!
Sugar-Free Castella & Chocolate Castella
These castellas were also ordered from Market Kurly. The curiosity grew as they were made with almond flour instead of rice. Since the minimum order quantity was two, the editor also purchased the chocolate castella. They looked like castellas sold at regular bakeries priced around 1,000 to 2,000 KRW. Both types were priced the same at 3,900 KRW each.
The feeling was completely different from regular castella. The egg flavor was strong, and large holes were scattered throughout, evoking the image of homemade castella made in a rice cooker in both taste and appearance. The original and chocolate flavors had different vibes; the chocolate was softer, reminding the editor of a chocolate chiffon cupcake made by microwaving an egg as a child. Both flavors were delicious, but if you expect a typical castella, you might be disappointed. However, the editor was satisfied with the nostalgic taste. 100% repurchase intention!
Starbucks Uri 米 Castella
The ‘Uri 米 Castella’ was discovered and purchased by chance at Starbucks. However, since it was often out of stock, the editor sometimes had to make a trip to a distant Starbucks. It is the most expensive among the three products at 9,500 KRW. It also comes in six pieces, with the Starbucks logo clearly stamped on the castella.
It was moist and sweet, similar in taste to the ‘Babi Bread Rice Castella.’ It felt like a regular castella with a more elastic texture. Eating two pieces as a meal substitute provided a satisfactory feeling of fullness. Here’s a tip! If you microwave the castella slightly, you can enjoy an even moister castella, so the editor recommends trying this at home.
Photo by Jo Yoonjung
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