TRADITIONS
BREAD, THE SACRED FOOD
BREAD, THE SACRED FOOD
The history of bread is a centuries-old story, rich in wisdom, poetry, art and faith. It is part of the evolution of man, from the earliest times to today.
The history of bread is a centuries-old story, rich in wisdom, poetry, art and faith. It is part of the evolution of man, from the earliest times to today.
Bread is the seal of culture.
Bread is the seal of culture.
We can find bread in many paintings, from ancient Egypt to pop art.
We can find bread in many paintings, from ancient Egypt to pop art.
The bread has always received a lot of attention both for its importance as food and for its symbolic value. Our seniors have taught us not to ever throw it away, thus giving life to dishes based on recycled bread. Throwing it meant not having respect for the most important daily food that man had, almost a sacrilege, given the importance that bread held in a religious faith.
The bread has always received a lot of attention both for its importance as food and for its symbolic value. Our seniors have taught us not to ever throw it away, thus giving life to dishes based on recycled bread. Throwing it meant not having respect for the most important daily food that man had, almost a sacrilege, given the importance that bread held in a religious faith.
Bread has always been the main element of rural food. It will never be lacking and indeed, very often, in the past it was the only food; it was eaten seasoned, roasted, soaked in wine. On the table bread was sometimes lacking and often the peasants were satisfied with the acorn bread. From this importance that the bread covered in the alimentation of the past, derived the obligation to kiss the bread when it fell on the ground.
Bread has always been the main element of rural food. It will never be lacking and indeed, very often, in the past it was the only food; it was eaten seasoned, roasted, soaked in wine. On the table bread was sometimes lacking and often the peasants were satisfied with the acorn bread. From this importance that the bread covered in the alimentation of the past, derived the obligation to kiss the bread when it fell on the ground.
There are several traditions related to bread:
There are several traditions related to bread:
- In many countries people always bless the bread before cooking it;
- In many countries people always bless the bread before cooking it;
- The Jews throw a ball of bread dough into the oven, before cooking it, because the first piece is for God;
- The Jews throw a ball of bread dough into the oven, before cooking it, because the first piece is for God;
- In Russia people who have bread from someone, they are in debt with him and must not betray him;
- In Russia people who have bread from someone, they are in debt with him and must not betray him;
- in Poland, the bride, after the religious mass, gives the guests a doll of bread with a coin inside as a wish;
- in Poland, the bride, after the religious mass, gives the guests a doll of bread with a coin inside as a wish;
- In Calabria and in other Italian regions there is the tradition of "panpepati", hand-molded bread with which you make small objects for pilgrimages or votive offerings, or even figures for the nativity scene made of colored crumbs;
- In Calabria and in other Italian regions there is the tradition of "panpepati", hand-molded bread with which you make small objects for pilgrimages or votive offerings, or even figures for the nativity scene made of colored crumbs;
- In many Italian regions for Easter they prepare large braids of bread in the shape of a donut: inside which is placed a hard-boiled egg as a sign of fertility.
- In many Italian regions for Easter they prepare large braids of bread in the shape of a donut: inside which is placed a hard-boiled egg as a sign of fertility.
- On the market the types of bread are really many and infinite, different by region or state, all born from human imagination mixing only flour, water, yeast and sometimes some additional ingredient.
- On the market the types of bread are really many and infinite, different by region or state, all born from human imagination mixing only flour, water, yeast and sometimes some additional ingredient.
- The bread, for Christians, represents Christ’s body ;
- The bread, for Christians, represents Christ’s body ;
- It is symbol of sweat and work of man.
- It is symbol of sweat and work of man.
Bread often reproduces the cross, symbol of the Christians, engraved on loaves for centuries. The cut on the skin of the bread, before cooking, allows a greater development of the dough with the strength of leavening and a better cooking as it allows the heat to reach the heart of the loaf.
Bread often reproduces the cross, symbol of the Christians, engraved on loaves for centuries. The cut on the skin of the bread, before cooking, allows a greater development of the dough with the strength of leavening and a better cooking as it allows the heat to reach the heart of the loaf.
Engravings are a very old custom of the bread making process.
Engravings are a very old custom of the bread making process.
The sign of the cross on the bread spreads more and more after the fall of the Roman Empire when the pagan rites are incorporated, transformed into Christian cults. Many Christians, after forming loaves of bread, engraved the cross on it with a sharp blade before cooking it in public ovens.
The sign of the cross on the bread spreads more and more after the fall of the Roman Empire when the pagan rites are incorporated, transformed into Christian cults. Many Christians, after forming loaves of bread, engraved the cross on it with a sharp blade before cooking it in public ovens.
A ritual that even today many Christian bakers use to make, the cross on bread, is considered a good wish for bread, for those who receive it and for those who offer it.
A ritual that even today many Christian bakers use to make, the cross on bread, is considered a good wish for bread, for those who receive it and for those who offer it.
There are many traditions on bread also in other religions. According to Jewish law, bread should never be cut but broken.
There are many traditions on bread also in other religions. According to Jewish law, bread should never be cut but broken.
The cut reminds, in fact, an idea of violence that can not be admitted for a food with such a rich meaning.
The cut reminds, in fact, an idea of violence that can not be admitted for a food with such a rich meaning.