Bread Philosophy
This basic phrase describes the most fundamental, essential elements of life and survival.
What is "Bread and Water"?
Before commercial yeast, baker's used a "starter" consisting of fermented flour and water, better known by this name today.
What is Sourdough?
This long, thin French crusty loaf must, by law, contains only four ingredients : flour, water, salt, and yeast.
What is Baguette?
This single-celled fungus is the primary leaveninh agent responsible for making bread rise.
What is Yeast?
If a customer asks for a "Baker's Dozen," you would give them this many rolls instead of just twelve.
What is 13?
This term for a "money-maker" comes from the idea that the head of a household is the person who provides the family's daily food.
What is a Breadwinner?
Archaeologists found evidence in Jordan that humans were baking flatbreads 14,000 years ago, long before the dawn of this " societal shift."
What is Agriculture?
Thai flat, round bread from Mexico and Central America is made from corn or wheat and is used to wrap tacos and burritos.
What is Tortilla?
This gas is released by yeast during fermentation, creating the air pockets or "crumb" inside the loaf.
What is Carbon Dioxide?
This mathematical method expresses every ingredient in a recipe as a percentage of the total flour weight.
What is Baker's Percentage?
In many cultures, this specific act of "breaking" bread with someone is a philosophical symbol for making peace or starting a friendship.
What is Sharing a meal?
During WWII, the UK introduced the " National Loaf," a gray-coloured bread made from this type of flour to save resources.
What is Wholemeal flour? (or Whole Wheat flour)
This soft, pillowy flatbread is a staple in Indian cuisine and is traditionally slapped against the inside of a scorching hot clay oven called a tandoor.
What is Naan?
This elastic protein network is developed through kneading and gives bread its structure.
What is Gluten?
This term describes the internal texture of a loaf, ranging from " open and airy" to "tight and dense."
What is the Crumb?
In 1789, a shortage of bread was a primary catalyst for this major European revolution, famously associated with the phrase "Let them eat cake."
What was the French Revolution?
This 1928 American invention led to the famous phrase " the greatest thing since..."
What is Sliced Bread?
This chewy, ring-shaped bread is boiled before it is baked and was brought to New York City by Polish-Jewish immigrants.
What is Bagel?
This is the specific biological process where yeast converts sugar into gas and alcohol.
What is Fermentation?
This term refers to the pattern of cuts made on the top of a loaf before baking to control how it expands.
What is Scoring?
The Roman practice of "Bread and Circuses" used cheap food and entertainment to keep this specific group of people from rioting.
Who are the Plebeians?
During the Middle Ages, people used thick, stale slices of bread as "plates" to hold their meat and gravy, which were called by this name.
What are Trenchers?
Often found in Mediterranean and Middle East cooking, this "pocket" bread is perfect for stuffing with falafel or dipping in hummus.
What is Pita?
This chemical reaction is why the crust turns brown and smells delicious; it happens when sugars and proteins are heated in the oven.
What is Maillard Reaction?
This is the process of folding and stretching the dough by hand to develop the gluten and make it strong.
What is Kneading?