Pita Bread

Pita bread is a soft, round flatbread that has been eaten in the Middle East for thousands of years. The coolest thing about pita is the pocket that forms inside when it bakes. This pocket makes pita perfect for stuffing with all kinds of delicious fillings. Pita bread is now enjoyed all around the world.

How the Pocket Forms

Pita bread is made from a simple dough of flour, water, yeast, and salt. When the flat rounds of dough go into a very hot oven, something amazing happens. The heat turns the water in the dough into steam. The steam puffs up the middle of the bread like a balloon, creating a hollow pocket inside. When the pita cools down, the pocket stays.

Ways to Eat Pita

Pita bread can be eaten in many ways. You can cut it in half and stuff the pocket with falafel, lettuce, and hummus. Pita is often torn into pieces and used to scoop up dips like hummus and baba ganoush. Pita chips are made by cutting pita into triangles and baking them until crispy. In some countries, pita is used like a plate to hold other foods.

Fun Facts

• Pita bread is one of the oldest types of bread, dating back over 4,000 years.
• The pocket in pita bread is created by steam from the hot oven.
• Pita bread is eaten in many countries, from Greece to India.

Did You Know?

In some Middle Eastern countries, throwing away bread, including pita, is considered disrespectful because bread is seen as a gift!