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What Makes Italian Bread Different?
Italy is a country steeped in history, culture and some of the best cuisine in the world.
Synonymous with both pizza and pasta, many different varieties of bread may also be discovered across Italia as well. But what makes Italian bread different? Let’s look at just a few of those things that make Italian bread an integral part of any trip to the Repubblica Italiana.
The Size and Shape of Italian Bread
The size and shape of the bread varies greatly compared to bread from other regions around the world. Italian bread tends to be plumper and shorter. As for the texture, the crumbs have a more dense feel and the crusts are harder.
Types of Italian Bread
There many are different types of Italian bread
Focaccia
Focaccia is among the most popular and most loved. This bread can be served as a side dish.
The bread is baked using olive oil, yeast, and strong flour. If baked well, it will have deep textured surface. If you bake the bread at home, ensure the Focaccia bread dough is fairly thick prior to placing inside the oven.
The surface should also be pierced with a knife which will help to prevent bubbles during the baking process. Finally, the bread is wonderful when coated using olive oil and different toppings including garlic, onions, and herbs.
Some regions usually include a stamp on the Focaccia bread. There are regions that also include some cheese before placing in the oven. For those with a sweet tooth, you can add some fruit or even honey.
2. Coppia Ferrarese
This Italian bread was mainly baked for royalty during the 16th century. The bread resembles a croissant and it was initially baked for the Duke of Ferrara.
To bake this bread, you need to be patient and also have a steady hand since you need to mould it into the right shape. The bakers in Italy are fond of experimenting and their creativity is demonstrated to the full when baking this wonderful bread.
3. Ciabatta
This is one of the most common types of Italian bread. You can find this type of bread in the supermarket while on hoiday in Italy. The origin of the Ciabatta Italian bread is not known. Nonetheless, the bread has a porous centre that is unique encased inside a crispy crust.
Ingredients used and making of the Italian bread
Italian bread is made using water, wheat flour, salt, and yeast. The bread may have ingredients such as milk, olive oil, and sugar added. All these ingredients are added according to your preference.
What is the Baking Method?
The bread can be baked in any type of oven. Italian bread should preferably be baked in a wood fired oven for better results. Wood fired ovens lend a subtle smokey flavour to the bread.
How it is served
Italian bread is mostly supposed to be eaten alongside other dishes. It’s best not to consume Italian bread with pasta or any other form of starch. Try alongside some classic soups such as minestrone or sciusceddu.
Italian bread has some unique qualities compared to other types of bread.
How it tastes is down to the different baking process and ingredients compared to other kinds of bread. When eating you do notice these subtleties through its flavour.
If you’re wondering on how to keep bread fresh for longer take a look at my article on the storing bread in the kitchen.
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