Anyone fortunate enough to enjoy Guasa’s Arepas knows their mouth-watering deliciousness alone is enough to keep them coming back. But there is even more to love about the tender handmade buns than their huge variety of tasty flavours. 
That includes the fact that the corn-based dough is entirely Gluten-free. Some might wonder, is this really something to rave about? The answer is undeniable yes – for more reasons than one. 
 
It was the day after Jimi Hendrix died and 1,500 music lovers flocked to one of England’s most iconic fields with their £1 ticket for the first-ever Glastonbury festival. 
 
As undeniably great as the acts would have been, the only food options were ox roast and free milk from the farm. It is safe to say festival food options have come a long way… 
 
It can be really frustrating, unmotivating and challenging when we are first diagnosed with the coeliac disease. It may not be so easy at first to understand and accept all the restrictions and limitations one has to follow in order to take care of our bodies and alleviate the terrible symptoms we are experiencing. Not everyone seems to understand the life- changes with need to make, certain pleasures we feel we have to give up, and the mixture of emotions we feel during this journey. We get you! and believe us, you are not alone... 
 
Did you know that 1 in a 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease, but only 36% are diagnosed? We want to be part of the movement to get more people on the road to recovery, more quickly, that's why we are participating in the coeliac awareness week, which starts from 9th May to 15th May, with the aim of raising awareness about this misunderstood disease. 
 
When we are first diagnosed with the coeliac disease or we are recommended for health reasons to follow a gluten-free diet, we feel that our diet is very limited, somewhat boring, like all the delicious treats we used to enjoy are forbidden and just thinking about eating out gets complicated, frustrating and even scary. 
 
Even though, here in London most places are incorporating gluten free options and vegetarian and vegan options to their menu, is still quite difficult to feel completely free and careless about what we order from the menu. There is not only the risk of cross contamination in the kitchen, but also, the little variety of dishes to choose from, when many of the signature and most exciting dishes are not part of the gluten free menu. It's easy to feel left out, anxious and thwarted, especially when going out with friends and seeing that everyone can enjoy freely without any kind of restrictions. You find yourself craving for all the things you know you cannot eat. 
 
Nowadays, a gluten-free lifestyle has become one of the UK’s most popular diet trends. Of course, there are a lot of people who are gluten intolerant. However, many people have chosen to follow a gluten-free diet, eliminating this protein entirely. 
 
The good news is that going gluten-free does not have to reduce your enjoyment of food! Here at Guasa, our delicious signature arepa buns are free of gluten! Read on to discover more about them, as well as some of the benefits of following a gluten-free diet. 
 
Why are more and more people following a gluten-free diet? 
There are a number of different reasons why people are opting to follow a gluten-free diet. 
 
Some of the advantages you can expect are as follows: 
 

Stop going for the same old tired buffet choices 

How many times have we been to a corporate event and picked up a stale sausage roll or an egg and cress sandwich from the buffet table? Yes, we are grateful for the free food, but it doesn’t exactly impress or cause any sort of excitement, does it? If you go for the same catering services as everyone else, you are missing out on an opportunity to wow your attendees. 
 
There seems to be this misconception that we cannot possibly eat out and stay within our balanced diet. If we arrange a meal with a friend or we decide to pick up some food on the way from work, we simply right the day off and call it a “cheat day.” However, there are healthy, indulgent, and balanced food options and this is what Guasa is all about. Read on to discover more about the healthy and tasty Venezuelan food options we serve up! 
Arepa is a type of Venezuelan food that is made from ground maize dough. It is eaten daily in Venezuela and in other parts of South America, and we are delighted to bring this delicious snack to the UK. 
 
In these countries, it is typically served with the likes of diablito, which is a deviled ham spread, as well as avocado, chicken, various meats, cheese, and nata, which is a type of fresh cheese. 
 
What fillings can you choose from at Guasa? 
However, rather than simply bringing you the traditional arepa fillings, we have brought some contemporary flavours and fresh ingredients to this conventional type of Venezuelan cuisine. So, let’s take a look at some of the arepa fillings we offer: 
We all know why rum is one of the most popular spirits in the world. It comes with a complexity of flavours - from caramel and vanilla to smoke and earth - an extremely smooth blending capability and a downright delicious taste. What’s more, it has no carbohydrates or fats. 
But why is Venezualan rum the cream of the crop? You only have to look behind the counter of most mainstream bars and clubs all over Europe to realise it is the continent’s choice. They know that it can be served as is or make for a range of tasty cocktails. That’s because the favourable climate and richness of Venezualan land foster an extraordinary sugar cane from which molasses with a higher concentration of fermentable sugars are extracted. It is even a protected designation of origin (DOC), basically meaning the EU and UK have acknowledged its worth protecting. 
 
At Guasa’s Venezualan Buns and Rum, you’re spoiled with choice for ways to enjoy the revered liquor. You can devour it straight as a shot, complete with an orange wedge + cinnamon, with cola, or in one of our popular Venezualan cocktails. 
 
We offer three taste-bud-exploding rums. Arguably the most famous of venezuelan rums, the 1 Diplomatico Mantuano (25ml, 40% vol) has been distilled since 1959. The beautiful dark-golden rum is known for its rich, sweet and fruity taste and has been aged up to eight years. Our 2 Santa Teresa Gran Reserva (25ml, 40% vol) is not far behind on the renowned scale. Aged in oak for up to five years, this fruity, woody rum will keep you going back for more. Last but definitely not least, our 3 Pampero Aniversario (25ml, 40% vol) is our most full-bodied and fruity rum. It has an incredibly smooth, even finish. Aged in whisky and bourbon barrels up to six years - what’s not to love? 
 
In the height of the pandemic, foodies who desperately missed their favourite restaurant’s meals while being confined to their homes found comfort in DIY kits. 
 
While we all hope lockdowns are a thing of the past, the DIY trends they fostered have remained popular - and for good reason. They’re convenient and creative, allowing you to not only consume the delicious end product but also feel the excitement of making it and learning the secret ingredients behind your taste buds' bliss. 
GUASA is no exception. Our DIY kits contain everything you need to bring Venezuela to your doorstep and create our full flavoursome experience in the comfort of your own kitchen. You can put together six of our staple meals: Buffalo Beef Arepa, GUASA Chicken Arepa, Two Little Pigs Arepa, Vegan Jackfruit Arepa, Smoky Beans Arepa, and Arepa Burger. 
 
The process couldn’t be easier: unbox, heat up, serve, fill and enjoy. 
Lockdowns and travel bands were tough, but fortunately Londoners had the next best thing to hopping on a plane and flying to vibrant Latin America – indulging in its delicious cuisine from their very own city with Guasa. And now, many of them will have an even shorter journey to their beloved Guasa venue with our new stores in Greenwich and Croydon. 
Dubbed ‘an architectural fashion show,’ Greenwich’s stylish new Design District complex is the perfect new home for our mouth-watering Venezuelan food. Guasa lovers can treat themselves after a leisurely shop or game of rooftop basketball court with one of our tasty Aperas sold inside the caterpillar-shaped food hall. 
In Croydon, you’ll truly feel like you have been transported straight to Latin America as the Sluggers at Boxpark oozes with its culture and cuisine. You have the chance to indulge in Latin American baseball culture while your taste buds hit home runs with Guasa’s signature dishes. 
 
Of course, customers closer to our original two venues, Mercato Metropolitano and Old Spitafield Market, can still head there for their Venezuelan food hit. The former, in the south, boasts London’s first sustainable community market and brims with trendy stalls. Further north is the latter, a bustling and covered market with 350 years of history. 
 
 
We don’t know about you, but we have definitely got that festival feeling at the moment! With Freedom Day announced, festivals are set to get a lot bigger. All of the big guns are getting involved, with the likes of Wireless Festival announcing full capacity events (subject to negative tests or being vaccinated, of course!). However, considering the empty fields and lack of glitter and sparkles in 2020, things are certainly looking a lot brighter. 
 
Here at Guasa, we love filling up our calendar with festival events, bringing our tasty arepas to a fresh audience. We have already had the pleasure of taking part in the Life Lessons Chiswick Festival, and you can find us at a whole host of other festivals throughout the coming months as well. This includes the following: