World Bread Day a French Heritage!

What’s happening on October 16?

Answer: World Bread Day! 🍞🥖🍾

This product is so important in the lives of the French that, since 2022, the baguette is now part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity! 😋

So, are you ready to discover a gourmet celebration at the heart of French culture? On y va !

Where does Bread Day come from? 🤔

It was the international federation of bakers (UIB, International Union of Bakers and Confectioners) which chose the date of World Bread Day but history does not tell us if it is a coincidence that the Day World Food Fair is also on October 16. It’s up to you to choose the version. 😉

Bread in France, Centuries of History

Bread making carries with it the heritage of a long history and a tradition deeply rooted in France. Since Antiquity, the Gauls already kneaded various breads. However, it was not until the Middle Ages that bread making truly became a profession, with the appearance of the first bakers (artisans who make bread). 🍞

It was only in 1920 that the very first baguette appeared in France! 🤯 Indeed, it was because of a law prohibiting bakers from working part of the night that they proposed a product that was quicker to bake: the baguette. 🥖 This way, they could continue to offer fresh bread in the morning.

Some Different Kinds of Bread:

There are hundreds of varieties of bread in France! Here are some tips for differentiating them according to their weight (even if there is no regulatory text setting the weight of breads according to their name which can vary from one region to another):

• • The ficelle, ideal for appetizers, with 100 grams. 🍹
• • The flûte (who doesn’t play the pipe, do you understand the pun? 😂) with its 200 grams.
• • The baguette, breakfast delight, with 250 grams to its credit. It is the most famous and most consumed bread by the French.
• • Pain de campagne is our everyday champion weighing between 400 grams and 1 kilo! 🥇

Bread Making

The baguette, the emblematic symbol of France, and bread in general, would not be what it is without a carefully orchestrated manufacturing process. The basic ingredient is flour (often wheat), to which water, salt and yeast are added. The mixture is kneaded with love and expertise, then the dough rests for several hours to allow fermentation. Finally, it is shaped, cooked and voilà, the French baguette is born, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Yum, yum, … 🤤

How to Recognize Quality Bread?

The artisanal process and quality criteria make French bread a true work of culinary art, all in itself. To recognize good bread, you need to look at the following elements:

• • The Crust: it should be golden and crispy. This is a sign of perfect cooking. It should crack slightly when squeezed.
• • The Crumb: the inside of the bread should be airy and soft. An irregular texture would mean slow fermentation, ideal for gaining flavor.
• • Aroma: the delicate scent should be reminiscent of cereals and yeast. If the odors are too pronounced, this may indicate too long fermentation.
• • Flavor: it must be balanced, with a slight note of salt. In France, the flavor of bread is considered a true symphony where each note contributes to the overall taste experience.

French Culture in Your Daily Life

Learning French is much more than mastering a language, it is immersing yourself in a rich and diverse culture. Bread Day is an invitation to explore this culture through one of its most delicious representations.

At The French Academy, we accompany you on this linguistic and cultural journey. Our French courses are designed to offer you an immersive experience, where the language becomes a gateway to an authentic understanding of France.

In short, whether you are looking for the perfect baguette in New York, Shanghai or elsewhere in the world, or preparing your own artisanal bread at home, Bread Day is an opportunity to celebrate the French passion for this gem of a bakery. So, in any case, very good tasting (French style, of course!)

Besides, do you know what the expression: “it doesn’t eat bread” means? If many of you left your suggestions under this article, you will find the answer in the next publication with a new riddle. 😉

Have a lovely day 🌞 from The French Academy.