These were more likely savory biscuits than the bread products made today. Bread has played an essential role in Middle Eastern and European civilization since ancient times, both as a foodstuff and as a symbol.
For Christians, bread represents the body of Christ, and numerous expression in the English language reflect the importance accorded to bread – ‘to earn one’s daily bread,’ breadwinner,’ ‘to take the bread out of somebody mouth,’ and ‘to break bread.’
Bread now is the main products made from wheat. The range of breads available is vast. Most countries in the world produce some type of bread (e.g., pitta, chapattis, focaccia, parathas, rye, and sweetened breads).
White sliced is still very popular. Other breads sold include wheat-germ, malted wheat grain, soft grain white, bran enriched, and multigrain.
Bread is much less fattening than high-fat foods such as processed meats, cheese and fried foods. However, spreading butter, margarine or mayonnaise on a slice of bread doubles its calories.
Morning goods are small bread items traditionally baled in the morning after the ovens are cooled, but are now produced throughout the day. These include muffins, crumpets, rolls and scones.
At the beginning of the 20th century most bread was made and consumed at home. Today 20 000 independent bakers sell bread on a local basis. Large scale production at plant bakeries became possible as production methods and mechanical slicing and wrapping methods developed.
Plant bakeries now produce 78 percent of all bread consumed. The manufacture of bread products is one of the largest sectors of the food industry. The million large loaves of bread are consumed every day.
Bread and it products
