Introduction to Bread from Around the World
Bread from around the world is incredibly diverse, with over 20 types listed, ranging from flatbread to cornbread. Despite their differences, all breads contain flour or meal and water as main ingredients. Examples of unique breads include injira, baguette, poncubano, and hachapori, each with its own special characteristics and uses.
Popular Breads in Different Cultures
Various types of bread are popular in different cultures. For instance, boat-shaped bread with melted cheese, lavash (a thin flatbread baked in a clay oven), and cream cheese filled garlic bread (a popular street food in South Korea) are just a few examples. Bagels, which originated in Germany and were popularized in Poland, have been introduced to countries like the US. Other similar breads include simmet, a Turkish bread snack coated in sesame seeds, showcasing the diversity of breads across the world.
Unique Bread Types
Some breads have distinct textures and ingredients. Crumpets, for example, have a soft texture similar to pancakes due to a high liquid ratio, making them ideal for butter. Other unique bread types include:
- Pande Bono: a Colombian cheese bread made with tapioca flour
- Pao de Queijo: a Brazilian cheese bread that melts in your mouth
- Perota: a layered flatbread from South India
- Soda Bread: a traditional bread made with flour, buttermilk, and baking soda, with recent variations adding sugar and raisins
Traditional Breads
Many traditional breads have rich histories and cultural significance. Native Americans created dens bread, which was later adopted by the Irish during financial hardship and became soda bread, a culinary staple in Ireland. Chala, a Jewish tradition, is eaten on Shabbat and ceremonial occasions, characterized by its braiding techniques. Other traditional breads include:
- Mexican konchas
- Japanese curry bread
- Indian naan
Each of these breads has unique ingredients and cooking methods, such as deep-frying, yeast, and clay ovens.
Exotic and Specialized Breads
Some breads have unique names and characteristics. Tiger bread, for example, gets its name from its resemblance to a tiger due to a rice flour mixture coating that cracks apart during baking, creating a unique design. Other exotic and specialized breads include:
- Cornbread: popular in the Balkan region and Native American homes
- Sengak: a mild sourdough flatbread made with sesame seeds
- Limpa: a Swedish bread that incorporates fennel and orange zest
- Quasar: a French adaptation of Austria’s kipferl
International Influences and Adaptations
Aquasol, for instance, originated from a Viennese baker in France, who made it with flakier dough, and was later imitated by French bakers. Other international influences and adaptations include:
- Malawa: a traditional Yemeni Jewish flatbread with flaky layers
- Focaccia: a beloved Italian bread made with flour, water, yeast, and olive oil
- Butterflap and cocoa bread: variations that incorporate butter and sweetness, respectively, to create distinct tastes and textures
Conclusion
Various types of bread, such as cocoa bread, bow, and korovai, offer unique flavors and textures, with some holding symbolic significance in certain cultures, while others, like sourdough, have a rich history dating back to ancient times. The diversity of breads from around the world is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of bakers and cultures alike.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Flatbread | A type of bread that is flat in shape and often baked in a clay oven. | Lavash is a popular type of flatbread in Middle Eastern cuisine. |
| Baguette | A long, thin loaf of bread that originated in France. | A traditional French breakfast often includes a baguette with cheese and jam. |
| Injira | A sourdough flatbread from Ethiopia, often used as a base for various stews and salads. | Injira is a staple food in Ethiopian cuisine, used to scoop up spicy stews. |
| Crumpet | A type of bread with a soft texture, similar to pancakes, often served with butter or jam. | Crumpets are a popular breakfast food in the UK, often served with tea and butter. |
| Pao de Queijo | A Brazilian cheese bread that melts in your mouth, made with tapioca flour and cheese. | Pao de Queijo is a popular snack in Brazil, often served with coffee or tea. |
| Soda Bread | A traditional Irish bread made with flour, buttermilk, and baking soda, often served with butter or jam. | Soda bread is a staple food in Irish cuisine, often served with breakfast or as a side dish. |
| Naan | A type of Indian flatbread, often leavened with yeast and baked in a tandoor oven. | Naan is a popular bread in Indian cuisine, often served with curries or as a side dish. |
| Tiger Bread | A type of bread that gets its name from its resemblance to a tiger, due to a rice flour mixture coating that cracks apart during baking. | Tiger bread is a popular bread in the Netherlands, often served as a sandwich bread or toast. |
| Focaccia | A type of Italian flatbread, often topped with olive oil, herbs, and cheese. | Focaccia is a popular bread in Italian cuisine, often served as a side dish or used as a base for sandwiches. |
| Sourdough | A type of bread that uses a natural starter culture instead of commercial yeast, often giving it a sour taste. | Sourdough bread is a popular artisanal bread, often made with a natural starter culture and long fermentation time. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘a type of bread that melts in your mouth’?
A) Injira
B) Pande Bono
C) Pao de Queijo
D) Hachapori
2. What is the name of the ‘Turkish bread snack coated in sesame seeds’?
A) Simmet
B) Lavash
C) Bagel
D) Perota
3. Which bread is ‘a traditional bread made with flour, buttermilk, and baking soda’?
A) Cornbread
B) Focaccia
C) Soda Bread
D) Naan
4. What is the name of the ‘Jewish tradition bread eaten on Shabbat and ceremonial occasions’?
A) Chala
B) Malawa
C) Limpa
D) Quasar
5. Which bread gets its name from its resemblance to a tiger due to a rice flour mixture coating that cracks apart during baking?
A) Tiger bread
B) Sengak
C) Pao de Queijo
D) Korovai
Answer Key:
1. C
2. A
3. C
4. A
5. A
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: Using Relative Clauses to Describe Nouns
Grammar Quiz:
Choose the correct answer for each question:
1. The bread ____________________ is a traditional staple in Ireland.
A) which has a rich history and cultural significance
B) that was created by Native Americans
C) who is eaten on Shabbat and ceremonial occasions
D) what has unique ingredients and cooking methods
2. The relative clause “which was later adopted by the Irish during financial hardship” describes the noun:
A) dens bread
B) soda bread
C) Pao de Queijo
D) baguette
3. The sentence “Tiger bread, ____________________ , gets its name from its resemblance to a tiger” is an example of a:
A) restrictive relative clause
B) non-restrictive relative clause
C) independent clause
D) dependent clause
4. The relative pronoun “that” is used to introduce a relative clause in the sentence:
A) “The bread, which is made with flour and water, is a staple food.”
B) “The bread that is made with flour and water is a staple food.”
C) “The bread, who is made with flour and water, is a staple food.”
D) “The bread what is made with flour and water is a staple food.”
5. The sentence “Malawa, ____________________ , is a traditional Yemeni Jewish flatbread” is an example of a sentence using a relative clause to:
A) describe a person
B) describe a place
C) describe a noun
D) describe an action
Answer Key:
1. A) which has a rich history and cultural significance
2. A) dens bread
3. B) non-restrictive relative clause
4. B) “The bread that is made with flour and water is a staple food.”
5. C) describe a noun