Frequently Asked Questions

I have a nut allergy. Which nuts are in your products and what is the risk of cross-contamination?

All of our products are processed in a peanut-free facility. Some of our products do contain tree nuts, including almonds, coconuts, and hazelnuts. We thoroughly clean and test our machinery between processes, but as with any packaged food, there is always a risk of cross-contamination. For this reason, we may caution you against using our products if you have a severe tree nut allergy.

I’ve heard cassava can be toxic. Are your products safe to consume?

Yes, our products are safe to consume. When people refer to cassava as containing toxic elements, they are referring to naturally occurring cyanide compounds present in the raw, untouched root of the cassava plant. However, by the time cassava has been processed into flour, these toxic compounds have been fully removed. All commercially available cassava starch or flour is perfectly safe to consume and does not contain any harmful levels of cyanide.

Is there a difference between cassava starch and cassava flour?

Cassava starch is extracted from the cassava root into a pulp, which is then squeezed to extract a starchy liquid. Once all the water evaporates from the starchy liquid, only cassava starch remains. Alternatively, cassava flour is the whole cassava root, peeled, dried, and ground. We use cassava starch as a healthier alternative to bind our ingredients together and create amazing, grain-free recipes.

I noticed “spice” is listed on some of your ingredient lists, but the exact spice is not specified. What spice or spices are used?

To maintain the integrity of our recipes, we keep some of our ingredients generically labeled. If you have any allergies or concerns, please feel free to contact us, or reach out to us directly at info@birchbenders.com.

I am allergic to gluten. Can I still consume your products?

We are happy to offer a range of gluten free products, including our Paleo, Banana Paleo, Keto, Chocolate Chip Keto, Gluten Free, and Pumpkin Spice Paleo Pancake & Waffle Mixes. These products are tested to ensure there is less than 5 parts per million of gluten present, a standard set by GFCO.

Can you clarify the serving size of your pancake & waffle mix?

Our nutritional information is listed in grams per serving of dry mix. If you’d like to calculate one serving size, weigh out the mix prior to adding water. As water provides no nutritional value, the nutritional information will not change.

I do not eat any animal products. Do you have any vegan mixes?

We have a few vegan offerings including our Classic, Blueberry, Chocolate Chip, and Plant Protein Pancake & Waffle Mixes. Though these mixes do not contain any animal products, they are not labeled vegan because they are produced on the same lines as products that process dairy and eggs.

I am having cooking troubles. What should I do?

Below are our best tips for cooking the perfect pancake:

1. Lightly grease your griddle, skillet, or cast iron pan. We like to use about a tablespoon of vegetable oil, coconut oil, or butter, and a paper towel to quickly spread and wipe off excess.
2. Heat griddle to medium-high heat. The pan is hot enough when a drop of water sizzles off quickly after touching the pan.
3. Add Birch Benders Mix and water to a bowl and mix until just combined. Do not overmix—batter will be slightly lumpy.
4. Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop batter onto pan, one or two pancakes at a time.
5. Cook until bubbles form and sides are beginning to dry, about three minutes.
6. Flip once and cook about one minute more. Avoid the temptation to pat the pancakes down during cooking!
7. Remove from heat. Serve immediately or place in a 200°F oven if making a larger batch. To save for a later occasion, wrap tightly or place in airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

I want to keep your mixes as fresh as possible. Do your pancake & waffle mixes need to be refrigerated?

No, our Pancake & Waffle Mixes do not need to be refrigerated before or after opening. The mix will remain fresh at ambient temperature until the best-by date printed on the back of the pouch, as long as the pouch is stored properly sealed.

Did you change the packaging of your toaster waffles?

You may have noticed that the packaging has changed, however, rest assured our recipes have not. Our waffles are still the same delicious recipe you love and trust, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside!

I love your pancakes, but I am having trouble resealing the pouch. Any suggestions?

Unfortunately, some of the flours we use (like cassava, tiger nut, and almond) are more coarse than typical flours and can get stuck in the zipper, making it difficult to reseal the pouch. We recommend taking a wet paper towel and wiping down the zipper before resealing the pouch.

I am familiar with your products and I believe I have received one with a quality issue. How can this be solved?

We are so sorry you had a negative experience with our products. We are happy to send you a replacement item, but we do ask that you provide the point of purchase info, best-by date, and batch number so we can track down and solve the issue. Please contact us, or email this information directly to info@birchbenders.com.

Batch Number Locations:

• Pouches: Back of pack printed towards the bottom of the pouch.
• Cups: Printed on the bottom of the cup.
• Syrup: Printed on the neck of the bottle.
• Waffles: Printed on the end panel.  

Do you offer your pancake mixes in larger sizes?

Yes! We sell some of our mixes in 24 ounce bags and sell a 42 ounce Paleo mix at select Costco locations.