10 Iconic Types of Bread From Around the World

Almost every culture around the world has iconic types of bread. In this post by Great Harvest of Newtonville in Newtonville, MA, we’ll go over a brief history and characteristics of these bread varieties.  

1. Baguette

Nowadays, the baguette is a staple of french bread, but it wasn’t always the case. Baguettes came into existence in the 1920s when steam ovens were first introduced to French bakeries, and they gained popularity during WWII as a more efficient bread to make. Baguettes usually are golden-brown and have a crusty loaf with a lot of aroma.

2. Challah

Challah is a traditional Jewish bread that is usually made for Jewish Sabbath and holidays. It’s customary to say a blessing over two loaves during festive occasions. Challah is made out of flour, eggs, yeast, salt sugar, and poppy seeds. There are many different types of challah, one being the braided challah that can have anywhere from three to six strands. The braided strands symbolize love.

3. Anpan

Next in our iconic types of bread list is Anpan. Anpan is a traditional Japanese bread that was first made during the Meiji period in 1875. The baker’s name was Yasubei Kimura, who was once a samurai. Anpan is made out of sweet dough, filled with sweet bean paste, and formed into buns. Anpan is eaten as a snack.

For delicious bread, visit Great Harvest Bread Co., where they bake many types of bread, cookies, and pastries daily. For more information on their products, call at 617-928-1162 today, or visit their website to see their full menu.

4. Naan

Naan is found in many cuisines around Western and Central Asia and India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Caribbean. Naan comes from Persia, where bread was baked on hot pebbles and has a dense, chewy texture. This type of flatbread is made out of flour and a leavening agent and can be oven-baked or Tawa-fried and can be served with butter and garlic on top. Naan can be served on many occasions like parties, birthdays, and weddings, but it’s most commonly served in restaurants.

5. Ciabatta

The ciabatta was first created in 1982 by a baker named Arnaldo Cavallari in Adria, Italy, due to the popularity of baguettes. Ciabatta is made out of strong flour, which is high in gluten, and it’s usually a soft, wet dough before baking. The recipe comes from variations in traditional bread recipes.

6. Tortilla

Tortillas are a staple of Mexican cuisine; there are two main types of tortillas, one made out of maize hominy meal traditionally found in the center and south of Mexico, and another one made out of wheat flour found in the northern states. Corn tortillas date back to Mesoamerica around 500 BCE.

7. Tunnbröd

Tunnbröd is another type of flatbread that is usually found in northern Swedish cuisine. The dough is made of a combination of barley, rye, and wheat, and it can have yeast or ammonium carbonate as a leavening agent. A popular fast food dish is tunnbröd rolled a hot dog and mashed potatoes.

Great Harvest Bread Co. bakes with the best ingredients to ensure delicious bread every time. If you’re wondering about their full menu, visit their website, or place an order today at 617-928-1162.

8. Barmbrack

Barmbrack or brack is a type of bread originating from Scotland and Ireland. It’s usually made as flattened rounds with sultanas and raisins soaked in whiskey or cold tea, and it’s served toasted with butter and tea. Brack is sweeter than white bread but less sweet than cake. Traditionally, people would place objects inside of a loaf of brack like a ring, a twig, or a gold coin, each with its own meaning. Today placing a ring inside the loaf is a tradition that means marriage for whoever finds it.

9. Bammy

Bammy is a type of flatbread made out of cassava root and has been eaten in Jamaica by the native Arawak people since pre-Columbian times. Nowadays, bammy can be found in stores, but when made at home it can be baked on a stovetop or inside the oven and cut into wedges for freezing. It can be filled with many ingredients, such as avocado, fish, or meat.

10 .Babka

Last but not least in our types of bread list is babka. Babka is a type of bread that originated in Jewish communities in Ukraine and Poland in the early 19th century. The babka dough is similar to the challah, but babka is baked with fillings such as cinnamon, cheese, fruit, or chocolate and then braided.

Great Harvest Bread Co. bakes the best bread in town. If you haven’t tried it yet, visit their website to see their full menu, or call them today at 617-928-1162 for more information.