Northern Irish luxury ice cream maker showcases gluten-free

Glastry Farm, Northern Ireland's luxury ice cream maker, has linked up with Gluten Free Ireland to highlight that most of its ice cream and low-fat sorbet products are suitable for consumers with a gluten intolerance in particular.

Based on a family farm at Kircubbin in county Down, Glastry has a portfolio of around 20 ice cream and sorbet products which are gluten-free.

The company, among the most successful farm diversification projects on the island or Ireland, uses creamy milk from its own pedigree herd of Friesian Holsteins. Other natural ingredients, including fruit, herbs and honey, are also locally sourced.

Will Taylor, the founder and managing director of Glastry Farm, a widely respected farmer in Northern Ireland and former president of the Ulster Farmers' Union, says: "Dietary specific foods are now very important. Many people are allergic to or intolerant of wheat.

"The vast majority of our range is naturally gluten-free. We are conscious of health concerns which means both the ice-creams and the sorbets. The only ones we can't guarantee to be gluten-free are those where we use products made elsewhere. They do not contain any additives or stabilisers.

Glastry Farm premium ice cream and creamy sorbets are handcrafted from milk from the farm's own pedigree Holstein-Friesian herd. The farm has also been accredited by the UK Red Tractor organisation.

The products do not include artificial additives, stabilisers or other artificial ingredients, thereby assuring customers of the wholesomeness of the ice cream and sorbets.

"The sorbets are all suitable for vegan diets, being dairy and egg-free. They are also low-fat," adds Mr Taylor. "This is why we decided to join Gluten Free Ireland and to endorse the work of the organisation. We are a small batch producer of premium products from 'farm to dish' and are able to offer customers consistent quality products with transparency."

Glastry Farm recently announced its first major export business - to the United Arab Emirates through a link-up with Pure UAE, a food distribution business. It has also been exploring export opportunities in China. The company also exports products to foodservice operations in the Republic of Ireland.

A winner of UK Great Taste Awards and Blas na hEireann Irish National Food Awards, Glastry Farm has pioneered alcohol-infused ice cream in Ireland.