Bread is one of the most popular foods worldwide and has played a prominent role in the diets of many cultures throughout human history. It is one of the oldest man-made foods and is made from by baking the dough obtained from mixing flour and water. In terms of nutrition, bread is almost entirely carbohydrate but is filling, inexpensive, and versatile, and allows the creation of many different meals with bread and even different types of bread with numerous ingredients. Most cultures pair bread with other dishes to make a balanced meal or wrap various ingredients in bread. The possibilities of bread combinations are virtually endless. This article will describe several of the most popular types of bread and what distinguishes them from the others.
Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread is made from fermented flour and water which is used to make the bread dough rise. The fermentation process creates lactic acid which imparts a sour taste and can be kept for a long time. Eating sourdough bread is popular in Europe and Western Asia and is used to make sandwiches due to the thick hard crust and chewy texture.
White Bread
While bread is the most common type of bread and is primarily used for sandwiches. Its main ingredients are wheat flour, yeast and water and they have a soft crust and a while fluffy centre. This type of bread is also used to make buns for hotdogs burgers etc. and is ideal for holding sandwich fillings.
Whole Wheat Bread
In contrast to white bread, whole wheat bread is made from flour which uses almost the entire wheat grain along with the bran and germ. This makes the bread rich in fibre and more nutritious. Wheat bread looks similar to white bread except the centre is brown and it can be used in similar manner as white bread, in sandwiches and buns although it is sued more commonly in more complete meals or as parts of other dishes.
Baguette
Baguettes are also known as French bread and as the name suggests are commonly found in France, although they are popular elsewhere too. Baguettes have a crispy crust and a fluffy centre and are used for sandwiches and sandwich types where the bread is filled with the filling without slicing it all the way through. Baguettes can also be made with sourdough and whole wheat.
Pita
Pita is a type of flatbread originating in the Middle East made of wheat flour. They look very different from traditional bread and are cooked at high temperatures which evaporates the liquid from the dough. They are generally served with sauces or curries and are eaten by soaking or dipping them in the sauce.
Multigrain
Bread made with multiple types of grain such as barley, oats, flax etc. is called multigrain bread. It is much more filling and nutritious than white bread and are used in various healthy meal plans. They also include B-vitamins and fibre, due to the inclusion of various seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower.
