NORTHERN PLANNER

For thousands of years, the ritual of daily bread has been deeply rooted in Western culture. The phrase, ‘our daily bread’ still has religious weight. The word companion  comes from the latin meaning ‘one who eats bread with another’…meaningful bonds are made over the breaking of bread. If we make our own, it’s an act so basic it’s deeply satisfying. And then there’s that smell.

Leavened bread was first made back in Egypt as far back as 1500BC, supposedly the result of using ale instead of water to make the loaves. For many centuries, the masses survived on a diet based on bread. It reached the level of magic – the marriage of earthly and symbolic, sacred and profane.

Our attitude towards bread today shows much of our attitude to food in general. As living standards have improved, we’ve cared less about the basics. We spend less (relatively) on food than we ever have, and such a disconnected attitude to food we’re highly succeptible to fads. Fear of carbs means bread is being rejected. But, while more of us should eat less, not just less bread, is would be a shame if a thread that links us right back to our ancient struggle to survival was let go. Bread connects us to out roots. Each culture has its own – the jewish challah, Greek Pitta, Irish Soda bread. It’s edible history.

I think it’s a question of quality (more) over quantity (less). That goes for all food. And to that end, we’ll be doing some bread recipes food.