Naan Bread History

Bread is known mostly in every culture. In every race or country, bread is seen as a sort of offering and is used in a variety of religious ceremonies. Many will probably wonder how exactly it started. The first breads that were mentioned began about 10,000 years ago. In Egypt, around 8000 B.C.E. the first grain was crushed using a grinding stone that was called a quern. The bread looked like porridges and flat cakes. It all started with grains, which were mashed with milk or water. This was eaten cooked or raw as it provided support for growth and gave enough nutrients to the body. The porridge became a thicker/paste-like form of bread and was eventually cooked on a hot rock or oven which made it hold together in a dryer substance, making it more mobile (Franklin, 2003). Later throughout the years, descendants of those earliest breads came up with new types of breads such as Pita Bread (Middle Eastern), Naan (India), and Pizza (Italy).
Traditional Uses in Cultures
For example, we have the Naan bread which originates in India. It is an oven baked flatbread that is well known all over Southeast Asia. Something that is very interesting about Naan is that it can be stuffed, topped or infused with just about anything that you can think of. Some common examples would be herbs, seeds, cheese or spicy mashed potatoes. Another bread is Pan de Muertos which comes from Mexico. It is stated that, “The bread is made from a special egg dough in a round shape, with crisscrossed strips of dough forming bones, and a skull in the center… In some areas of Oaxaca and Michoacán, bakers shape the bread to resemble humans or animals. Offerings for children are miniature in size and relatively simple: breads, candies, fruits, and milk or soft drinks. The adult dead receive the finest foods, grown-up breads and sugar figures, as well as candied pumpkin and other sweets.” (Pilcher,