Are Vital Wheat Gluten and Wheat Gluten the Same Thing?

Christine Gallary
Christine GallarySenior Recipe Editor at The Kitchn
After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, I worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW's test kitchens. I've edited and tested recipes for more than 15 years, including developing recipes for the James Beard-award winning Mister Jiu's in Chinatown cookbook. My favorite taste testers are my husband, Hayden, and daughter, Sophie.
updated May 30, 2019
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Q: Are vital wheat gluten and wheat gluten the same thing? A bread recipe specifically calls for ‘Vital Wheat Gluten.’ My neighborhood mill only has ‘Wheat Gluten’. They could not tell me if there is a difference.

Sent by Dan

Editor: Yes, the two names are used interchangeably. Sometimes seitan is also called wheat gluten because it is made from vital wheat gluten, water, and spices, but when talking about bread recipes, vital wheat gluten flour is what is used.

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