The History of Bread

Bread is one of the oldest foods that humans have ever made. People have been baking bread for more than 10,000 years. The first breads were simple flatbreads made from ground grains and water. Over thousands of years, people discovered yeast and learned to make fluffy, risen loaves. Today, bread is still a staple food in almost every country.

The First Breads

The earliest breads were probably made by crushing wild grains and mixing them with water to make a paste. This paste was cooked on hot stones near a fire. These simple flatbreads were made by people in the Middle East over 10,000 years ago. Ancient Egyptians were the first to discover that yeast could make bread rise, creating the first fluffy loaves about 5,000 years ago.

Bread Through the Ages

In ancient Rome, bakers were so important that they had their own guilds and special status. During the Middle Ages, dark bread made from rye and barley was common food for ordinary people. White bread was more expensive and eaten by the wealthy. The invention of the bread-slicing machine in 1928 changed everything. That is where the saying "the best thing since sliced bread" comes from.

Fun Facts

• The phrase "the best thing since sliced bread" comes from 1928 when pre-sliced bread was first sold.
• Ancient Egyptian bakers made over 30 different types of bread.
• Bread was so important in ancient Rome that the government gave it away for free to citizens.

Did You Know?

The oldest piece of bread ever found was discovered in Jordan and is about 14,400 years old!