Bakeries where you can find glutenfree products on São Miguel Island – Part 1
Based on my experience every city or region on Sao Miguel Island has a signature baked good. I am planning to write a post later which introduces all these baked goodies. However, almost all of these products are glutenous. This is why I have decided to visit every bakery and patisserie in the area to ask about gluten-free options, thus helping fellow travelers. To my absolute delight I have stumbled upon the perfect place in Furnas: the Bakery of Gloria Moniz.
The Gloria Moniz bakery is also very special because it sells the best Bolos Levedos (Portuguese sweet bread) in town. Compared with similar products of other bakeries, the Bolos Levedos of Gloria Moniz have a richer and heavier pastry. I will tell more about the Bolos Levedos in an upcoming post.The bakery is a little difficult to find, since it is tucked away at the back of a courtyard. At the gate – which resembles a driveway there is a small sign with „Bolos Levedos” and the name of the bakery „Gloria Moniz” is painted on the pavement outside. Locals flock here every morning to get their breakfast Bolos Levedos to go, or to enjoy it there immediately.
Bolos Levedos is a sweet bread, but it is used for savoury dishes and even as burger bun. Since it is made from plain flour and active yeast I only dared to take a tiny bite – but I liked it very much, and would recommend for you to try it, too. Also for people with no gluten and lactose intolerance the Maracuja Cake is a must!
But let me get back to my original topic: the gluten-free cakes of the Azores.
A very friendly sales assistant at Gloria Moniz – who now recognizes me and knows my to-go order – told me to try this Azorean bean tart.
The Queijadas de Feijão (bean tart) is a brown colored, gluten-free tart made of mashed beans and almond flour. It is simply divine. [galeria 10]
As inspiration, I took a few pictures of the bakery.
My friends all agree that the coffee sold at the bakery is also fantastic (this is something that I, being a BIO Girl and a no-coffee drinker cannot verify, but I am happy to share my friends’ feedback).
Where is Gloria Moniz Bakery in Furnas? Click here
For those of you who are not planning a trip to the Azores yet, but would like to try the Queijadas de Feijão (bean tart) I have found a recipe here. I am looking forward to your feedback and pictures, if you decide to make it yourselves!