Throughout generations and cultures, bread has been a staple in cuisines. Its versatility and accessibility allowed communities to develop new recipes using available resources. Today, people appreciate different types of bread that have kept them well-fed for years.
Although bread alone isn’t sufficient to keep the world fed, the United Nations recognizes that bread makes up 20 percent of the world’s calories.
As a result, the UN established an annual international observance every October 16 called World Bread Day.
World Bread Day began with the help of the International Union Bakers and Confectioners, dedicating the day since 2006 to celebrating the staple food that has been significant for millennia. It coincides with World Food Day, an annual international celebration commemorating the establishment of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.
In 1945, the UN created the FAO 1945 to combat world hunger and promote food security. It has a Latin motto, “Fiat Panis,” which translates to “Let there be bread.”
Looking back at the history of bread
Bread is one of the oldest prepared foods. Some experts believe that people used a starch extract from plant roots to cook a primitive form of flatbread sa early as 30,000 years ago. Eventually, later civilizations switched to grains as the main ingredient in making bread during the start of the Neolithic age.
The Egyptians allegedly were the first to use yeast to leaven the dough. During ancient times, bread went beyond symbolizing mere nutrition in many cultures. It became a metaphor for necessities and living conditions.
It became instrumental in historical events, especially the French Revolution. Although there’s no truth to Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France, saying, “If they don’t have bread, let them eat cake,” the widespread hunger caused the French to revolt against their monarchs.
Variations in bread soon began appearing across the globe, again depending on the area’s culture and available resources. Environmental circumstances also left an impact on bread recipes. For instance, the sliced bread everyone knows and loves started in 1928, after World War I.
Otto Frederick Rohwedder developed a bread-slicing machine that both sliced and wrapped bread. The idea didn’t earn rave reviews initially, but by World War 2, people saw its convenience, especially during a crisis.
Nowadays, bread also became a staple food in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and European-derived countries, while rice remains the norm in Asian countries. Baking bread grew from a necessity to a source of livelihood to a hobby before becoming a craft people enjoy today.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people found themselves stuck at home with little access to stores and food supplies. People began baking bread to keep themselves occupied and well-fed with the scarcest ingredients.
Common ingredients people use to make various types of bread include wheat, cereals, rye, barley, oats, maize, rice, millet, and sorghum. Other cuisines follow a traditional bread recipe passed down from generation to generation.
In the meantime, in some religions, including Christianity and Judaism, bread holds a position as a ritual element.
Over time, bread recipes found their way across the globe, allowing communities to enjoy the flavor profile from other countries or develop a new version more suitable to their circumstances.
Bread in the Philippines
Although rice is a staple in Philippine cuisine, the country is not without its bread varieties that are affordable, versatile, filling, and delectable. In almost every meal of the day, Filipinos find ways to enjoy bread.
For instance, local bakeries open a little before dawn to sell freshly-baked pandesal. Even though made with humble ingredients, such as eggs, flour, salt, sugar, and yeast, it’s a common sight during breakfast or snacks.
Pandesal goes with jam, eggs, butter, peanut butter, cheese, and other fillings available in the market. Some even eat pandesal with a cup of warm coffee or a chocolate drink.
The variety started in the 16th century Philippines. Initially, it was hard and crusty outside and bland on the inside. Over the years, it became a softer and sweeter bread.
Another local bread option in the Philippines is monay. Although it isn’t a staple on the breakfast table, Filipinos consume the bread throughout the day. It’s a milk and egg bread that’s heavy, fine, and solid. Depending on the bakery, it can come in small or large sizes, but it’s distinct for its round shape and crease on the top.
Monay has a tough exterior but a soft, chewy interior. It’s tasty enough that people sometimes don’t add spreads or flavor enhancers.
Speaking of chewy and tasty bread, Filipinos also enjoy a specific bread option called ensaymada. It’s a rounded local bread, similar to a brioche, with grated cheese and sugar sprinkled on top. Its sweet flavor makes it popular among those with a sweet tooth, kids, or kids-at-heart.
Ensaymada is available in almost all bakeries and restaurants, adding a personal spin to the recipe. Some create significant serving portions, while others use specific ingredients to become more distinct.
When it comes to sweets, one can’t go wrong with the traditional buko pie. The baked pastry uses coconuts, which are available almost everywhere in the Philippines. The meat is made sweet, thick, and rich with condensed milk.
Although initially made plain, thanks to the abundance of coconuts in the country, some establishments added other fruits or flavor essences to make the dish more enticing.
Philippine bread also comes in savory options. One example is the empanada, a world-recognized pastry from the Spanish word “empanar,” which means to wrap in bread. The local version is either baked or deep-fried to give either a chewy or crunchy texture.
The traditional Filipino fillings include beef, chicken, potatoes, onions, and raisins. Other recipes include cheese, fruits, and vegetables. In the Ilocos region, the locals use egg yolks, sausages, green papayas, and mung beans in their empanadas.
There are several ways to celebrate World Bread Day. An ideal approach is biting into quality bread from a trusted store or making some from scratch. Regardless of the activity, it’s necessary to remember that bread fed and sustained humanity for years and will continue to do so in the years to come.