This is NOT a sponsored post. GFF was not paid to write this review nor was any free product(s) received.
When I first went gluten-free, there were a few bases I needed to cover in a hurry. The pasta was one of them. Finding gluten-free pasta that would work in a variety of recipes – from both a taste and texture perspective – was a bit of a challenge. The only thing I could do was keep trying different brands and track what I liked and didn’t like with each one. Some I liked the flavour but not the texture (as was the case with our Catelli gluten-free pasta review). Others got the texture right but the taste was off-putting. Just when I thought I’d have to choose between compromising the taste or the texture of my pasta dishes forever, I found a few shining stars. One of those shining stars was Tinkyada Rice Pasta and that is why it has earned our GFF Seal of Approval in this Tinkyada Gluten-Free Pasta Review.
First off, the packaging…
Before I get into the details of the review, I want to start with the packaging because they get it oh so right. Reading labels is a critical step when going gluten-free as you have to confirm that there are no hidden or alternate sources of gluten in the ingredients. Rather than making you dig for the information, Tinkyada puts it all front and centre.
At a glance, you know whether it’s brown or white rice pasta (they make both). That it’s gluten-free, Kosher has no added preservatives and colouring and is GMO-free. You also know it’s made in a facility on machines that only produce rice pasta to avoid cross-contamination. They specialize in making rice pasta with 2 ingredients – either white or brown rice and water (some varieties contain rice bran). You don’t have to go hunting for this information. Rather than focus on the design of their package, they opted to fill it with the information that would be most helpful to their customers. 10’s across the board for packaging and knowing what’s important to us gluten-free foodees. Now let’s get to the review.
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Tinkyada Gluten-Free Pasta Review: Look and Feel – Scored 18/20
The texture of their pasta is one of the things that Tinkyada takes great pride in. Right on the front of the package they boast “Good texture”, “Not mushy”, and “Al Dente” and they don’t lie. Their pasta is all those things. It is slightly chewier but in a way that enhances the texture (providing it is cooked properly). They lost points in this area only due to the preparation.
You cannot cook Tinkyada Rice Pasta like traditional pasta. It is a little trickier to cook al dente. Approximately 2-3 minutes before the package directions recommend, you have to start testing the pasta. When the pasta is cooked al dente, it will be tender but still firm to the bite or “to the tooth.” (English translation). You want to remove the pasta and quickly strain it once it’s al dente. If you overcook it, cook it until it is soft or let it sit in the strainer too long, it will become mushy and/or breakdown when (re)heated with sauce.
Tinkyada Gluten-Free Rice Pasta Review: Taste – Scored 20/20
I think the score for this section speaks for itself. Based on taste alone, you’d never know you were eating a gluten-free pasta. It’s fantastic and compliments any sauce too. I recommend cooking it with salt (2 generous tablespoons per lb of pasta being cooked) but that is the case with all pasta. It just adds to the flavour of the pasta. I have served this pasta to family and friends that are not gluten-free and they didn’t know the difference – they assumed it had gluten.
Tinkyada Gluten-Free Pasta Review: Misc – 7/10
As I mentioned, Tinkyada scores full marks for transparency with their packaging. Where they lost marks is the pack size and price comparison to traditional pasta. I realize that products that cater to a specific or niche diet tend to be in smaller packages and more expensive. In Tinkyada’s defense, they are not near as expensive as some gluten-free pasta, however, our criteria is based on how it compares to pasta with gluten. Given that criteria, their pack size is smaller and their price point is higher and that is why they lost 3 points in this section.
Overall, Tinkyada Rice Pasta scored 45/50. If you haven’t tried Tinkyada Rice Pasta, I highly recommend you do. You will not be disappointed. Kudos to Tinkyada for producing such a great product here in Ontario, Canada and earning the GFF Seal of Approval.
Have you tried Tinkyada pasta? If so, do you agree with our review? If not, what is your favourite gluten-free pasta? Please share your feedback with us. We love hearing about – and learning from – the experiences of our fellow Gluten-Free Foodees.
Pasta la vista, baby 😊
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2 comments
I tried the Tinkyada Brown Rice Spaghetti this evening. To be honest, neither my wife or I liked them at all. They turned out exceptionally bland and starchy. I will try the White Rice variant next, but not overly hopeful based on this first experience.
Previously my go-to was the Catelli Gluten-Free Spaghetti, which I used happily for the last decade. That was until Barilla purchased Catelli and immediately the quality of the pasta noodles went down the drain, from the best-of-the-best to the absolute worst. Zero flavour and completely disintegrate while cooking. I used to swear by Catelli, and now all I do is swear at Barilla.
So far, the closest Gluten-free spaghetti I can find to the ‘old’ Catelli, in terms of quality, texture, and flavour, has been the La Molisana Spaghetti Noodles (corn and quinoa). If you haven’t reviewed them, I strongly recommend giving them a try. I was really hoping the Tinkyada would be an equivalent, as it is cheaper to purchase locally versus having to order online for the La Molisana.
Hi Steven,
Sorry to hear you didn’t like the Tinkyada Brown Rice Spaghetti.
Have you tired Rummo gluten-free pasta? It is another favourite of ours.
Cheers,
Elyse