No matter the time of day, bread has always been a staple food that carved appetites and defined cuisines across the globe. It’s a versatile food that can accommodate local ingredients, procedures and other unique pairings.
Although the bread has received some negative connotations from many because some people claim it as the reason behind many cases of obesity, there’s no denying that the staple has been a rudimentary and familiar basic food on many dining tables.
Seeing the evident benefits of bread throughout millennia and civilizations, the world annually celebrates World Bread Day on October 16 to highlight the oldest and most beloved staples of the human diet.
Yet there’s more to World Bread Day than just letting bread rise to the occasion. It also commemorates the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO), which continues to champion food security and nutrition worldwide.
The annual event began in 2002, under the initiation of the International Union of Bakers and Bakers-Confectioners (UIBC) and the German Central Association of Bakeries. They wanted to create a global day highlighting the importance of bread as a staple food and pay tribute to the skill and dedication of bakers worldwide.
World Bread Day gives people time to reflect on the relevance of bread throughout society, its cultural significance and potential to address global hunger and nutrition. After all, multinational studies claim that the average person, regardless of country, age and gender, consumes about 50 kilograms of bread a year.
Calories consumed from bread have kept generations well-fed, empowering them for nation-building and ensuring food security.
Rising to the occasion
Eating bread isn’t the only way to celebrate World Bread Day–but it’s a start. Many local bakeries, cafes, and restaurants offer various bread selections to cater to everyone’s preferences. It’s affordable and accessible, just some of the primary reasons why the annual event puts the staple on a pedestal.
People don’t have to eat alone during this global celebration. As per the tradition of breaking bread, they can always share their favorite bread or explore new options with friends and loved ones.
On the other hand, those who starve for knowledge can take this opportunity to satiate their intellectual hunger and learn more about the event through proper research from trusted sources available online or similar knowledge platforms.
Coincidentally, there are various recipes found online and in cooking books that enthusiasts can peruse to learn how to create famous or underrated bread recipes to their liking. Some are easy, while others require more experience.
Baking the bread needs patience and the appropriate equipment. Those with ovens can begin their baking journey. Those who have yet to purchase the appliance can find refuge in areas across the country that allow their customers to use their baking equipment and learn the recipes efficiently.
If reading, eating and baking have yet to make people feel the relevance of World Bread Day, they can always share their blessings and the nutrition from consuming the beloved staple with others who require the sustenance. They can get in touch with various organizations, orphanages and shelters to organize a feeding program for the marginalized, youth and elderly and to show them the benefits of bread and how it keeps civilizations fed over the years.
Popular Filipino bread
Since bread has helped define numerous cultures and civilizations over the years, the Philippines has its fair share of options that remain well-loved by Filipinos from all walks of life.
In the morning, they can head to the nearest bakery to buy several pieces of pandesal, a mildly sweet bread known for its light golden crust, slight crunch and pillowy texture. Its name comes from the Spanish word, meaning “salt bread,” as it originated from the Philippines’ 16th-century era of Spanish colonization. 
Pandesal is best when served hot and freshly baked in the oven, usually around early morning. Many enjoy eating pandesal with a hot beverage, preferably coffee, in the morning for breakfast. But it’s not bound to any rules and can be eaten with jam, cheese, butter, or fashioned into a sandwich throughout the day.
Another favorite among Filipinos is ensaymada, which many bakeries, cafes and restaurants have catered to creating and perfecting this specific variant. Ensaymada is a coiled buttery bread with sugar and cheese sprinkled on top. It’s both sweet and savory, making it a perfect snack. Ensaymada also goes well with coffee, although a more robust brew can balance the flavors better.
Many Filipino breads are often versatile, with each having a distinct flavor. One ideal example is Filipino-style sliced bread. It’s soft, sweet and delicate. But don’t let its mild flavor fool you. This sliced bread is the perfect match for any spread or filling. Whether it’s sweet jam, butter, peanut butter, or more savory options like ham, egg and other proteins, there’s much for consumers to expect when they use the bread variety.
In the meantime, local bakeries still offer numerous options, from sweet to savory to being an adaptable medium, including monay, cheese rolls, putok, kababayan and more to suit the public’s preferences.
Those looking for a more adventurous flavor when it comes to eating bread can explore the complex yet equally satisfying flavors and textures of pies.
Besides the popular bread options in local bakeries, almost every province across the country has its version of bread that defines their local culture, which has since become a delicacy for many.
World Bread Day is a celebration of the humble loaf, a staple food for billions of people across the globe. It is a time to appreciate the diversity of bread, the skills of bakers, and the importance of bread in our culture and economy.
Bread is more than just a food. It is a symbol of sustenance, community and tradition. It is a food that brings people together, regardless of culture or background. It is a food that is both simple and complex, and it is is essential to our lives.
On this World Bread Day, let us all take a moment to appreciate the humble loaf. Let us savor its flavor, its texture and its history. And let us thank the bakers who produce this delicious and essential food.