Rum is one of the oldest beverages in the world and has enjoyed popularity for centuries. Despite this long history it remains a very popular beverage today. However, what many people don’t realize is that rum can be made with gluten. Rum is generally distilled from fermenting and aging molasses or sugarcane juice. These are glutenous materials so even a small amount of gluten could ruin a gluten-free diet which is why it’s important to know if rum is gluten free.
Yes Rum is Gluten Free in It’s Natural Form.
Rum is gluten-free
Rum is made from sugarcane, water and yeast. The fermentation process can involve a variety of grains, including wheat and rye, but not barley. Also, because rum is distilled, any trace of gluten in the original ingredients is eliminated during the distillation process.
Rum that’s been aged in wood casks may be made from wood that previously contained gluten-containing products such as whiskey or bourbon. In these cases it’s best to check with the manufacturer before consuming rum that has been aged in wooden barrels.
There are different types of rum
- Light rums are commonly used in mixed drinks; they are less sweet and lighter bodied than darker rums.
- Dark rums are suitable for aging and have a more pronounced flavor.
- Flavored rums add a distinctive character to rum-based mixed drinks like the mojito or daiquiri.
Rum is made from sugarcane, molasses and sugar cane or pineapple juice
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels. Rum generally contains 35–60% alcohol by volume (70–120 US proof).
Rum is produced in various grades. Light rums are commonly used in cocktails, whereas “golden” and “dark” rums were typically consumed straight or neat, on the rocks, or used for cooking, but are now consumed with mixers.
Premium rums are also available, typically rum that has been aged for at least three years in wooden casks previously used to store bourbon or other whisky. Darker and more strongly flavored rums are produced in much smaller quantities than light rums. This is because the additional aging required to produce darker rums greatly reduces the volume of available rum.
Rum is also made in other parts of the world
Rum is an alcoholic beverage distilled from the fermented sap of sugarcane, molasses or any other sugar-rich plant extract. Rum is made all over the world, but it was first produced in the West Indies. Rum produced in the United States and Canada is often called “American” or “Canadian” rum to distinguish it from rums imported from other countries.
Rum has been produced on a commercial level since the mid-17th century and is one of the most common liquors used in cocktails. It’s also used as a flavoring agent for many foods and desserts.
Bacardi and other rums are distilled to remove contaminants
Bacardi and other rums are distilled to remove contaminants, making them safe to drink for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Rum is a distilled spirit made from sugarcane byproducts, including molasses and sugarcane juice.
Rum actually has very little gluten in it less than 1 milligram per liter on average. This is because rum is distilled to remove almost all of its proteins, including gluten proteins. Its final product contains only small amounts of proteins left over after fermentation, which means it won’t cause problems for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
The only exception is if you order a rum that hasn’t been distilled properly (such as some flavored rums), or if you add something like soda water or fruit juices to your rum drink. These additives can increase the amount of gluten in your cocktail by quite a bit up to 100 milligrams per liter.
Beware of flavored rums
Rum is made from fermented molasses, a byproduct of sugar refining. It’s not always clear how much gluten is in rum, but there are some things you can look for to see if it’s safe for you to drink. Some rums are distilled from a mixture of grains and molasses, which may contain trace amounts of gluten.
Beware of flavored rums, as they often contain added ingredients that are not gluten-free. Flavored rums may have added ingredients such as caramel coloring or artificial flavoring that are not gluten-free, so read the label carefully before purchasing these products.
Conclusion
Like any other distilled beverage which has not been aged in a barrel, rum is gluten free. In fact, the only thing that gives rum its flavor and color is fermentation. There’s no gluten in there. It’s the barrels that are used to store the aging rum that infuses the spirit with slight amounts of gluten that can be detected by some people with celiac disease. With today’s technology, most rum distilleries don’t use used whisky barrels for aging their rums, especially not for the more premium rums which could be susceptible to contamination from barley found in the wood of the barrels.