Breads

Fun Facts About Breads

• The oldest known bread dates back about 14,400 years. Found by archaeologists in Jordan in 2018, it was a flatbread made from wild cereals like barley and oats.
• The phrase "the greatest thing since sliced bread" actually refers to how revolutionary pre-sliced bread was when first sold in Missouri in 1928. It was so convenient that when the government banned its sale to save resources for WWII, there was such a public outcry that the ban was quickly reversed.
• Bread was so important in ancient Egypt that it was used as currency. Workers, including pyramid builders, were often paid in bread (often 10 loaves for a day's work) along with other staples.
• White bread is now an inexpensive, mass-produced staple generally regarded as less healthy food with "empty calories." However, it was once considered a luxury food — only the wealthy could afford the extra refining process to remove the bran.
• Medieval bakers in Europe were heavily regulated. If a loaf was underweight, they faced big fines and public shaming, like being dunked in water or manure, or being dragged through the streets tied to a rope.
• The world record for the longest loaf of bread was baked in Portugal in 2005. It was 3,975 ft long and made using a traditional recipe.
• There are over 1,200 official varieties of bread in France. But by official governmental decree, only one is legally allowed to be called "traditional bread". Rules require it to contain only four ingredients (flour, water, salt, yeast) with no additives or freezing permitted.
• Pita bread is one of the oldest known types of bread and was a staple in the Middle East and Mediterranean. It naturally forms a pocket when baked because of the sudden burst of steam inside the dough, making it perfect for stuffing.
• The smell of fresh bread is so universally loved that real estate agents often bake bread during open houses because the aroma triggers positive memories and emotions, making people feel instantly happier and more relaxed.