Surprise discovery for fans of popular Aussie snack

It's Coeliac Awareness Week (March 13-20) so what better time to test out a fan theory about Arnott's Shapes

The theory claims the gluten-free Barbeque Shapes taste better than the original.

This is initially hard to believe, but then again, gluten-free products have come so far they are often at least on par with products in their original form.

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I also have an added interest in this topic now my daughter is eating a gluten-free and dairy-free diet due to digestive issues – which, by the way is sending me broke due to the so-called "coeliac tax" that sees customers playing significantly more for gluten-free products.

Her monthly bread supply alone is $40-$60. Ridiculous. But at least it prepared me for what I was about to find at my local supermarket.

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I stumbled on a display of original Arnott's Barbeque Shapes set up right next to their gluten-free counterpart at Coles.

The gluten-free variety came in a smaller box and were significantly more expensive. Weighing 110g, it cost $4.90 – part of Coles' Down Down specials, likely due to Coeliac Awareness Week.

The original Arnott's Barbeque Shapes in a 175g pack were half-price at $2 instead of the regular price of $4.

A crueller display of the "coeliac tax" I am yet to see! Not to mention the fact a lot of Australians may not have coeliac disease but are still intolerant to gluten so choose to eat a gluten-free diet to avoid constant discomfort.

But, I digress.

I decided to do a taste test at the 9honey office, knowing how much myself and my colleagues love a Monday snack.

I set up a blind tasting of original and gluten-free Arnott's Barbeque Shapes and asked: Which do you prefer?

Almost 40 per cent of those who participated in the blind tasting preferred the gluten-free variety, which was a better result than I was expecting but did disprove the fan theory.

Sixty per cent chose the original variety as their favourite.

The comments, however, were interesting.

Participants observed it was the seasoning on the tasty treats that make Arnott's Barbeque Shapes so special.

Ingredients include tomato powder, soy, onion powder, garlic powder and parsley.

Some felt the gluten-free variety had a more robust flavour while the original variety had a more robust biscuit.

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Of the gluten-free variety, one said they liked them because they could "eat more of these and not get full" which is a definite plus.

Another said they enjoyed the texture of the gluten-free variety, which was described as "crispy" and "crunchy".

Almost all of the participants were able to identify the gluten-free variety.

After the blind taste test ended, both bowls were quickly eaten by hungry 9honey staffers with little thought as to which were gluten-free and which were not.

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Coeliac disease affects thousands of Australians, according to Coeliac Australia, however it is thought approximately 80 per cent of sufferers remain undiagnosed.

The disease is an immune-based condition triggered by gluten, which damages the small intestine and causes systemic inflammation, leading to serious health complications if left untreated.

Despite being one of the most common autoimmune disorders, coeliac disease remains widely misunderstood.

This Coeliac Awareness Week the focus is on early diagnosis.

Those who suspect they may be suffering the condition can head to their local GP for advice.

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