All such breads have helped sustain most human cultures around the world for thousands of years. The preparation of breads involves many techniques and components. Some of the major ingredients that go into their preparation are water, flour, yeast, and salt.

Bread and wine are said to have introduced the ancient humans to the civilized life. You can have a bread as it is or with a delicious gravy prepared with vegetables or meat. Now, let’s take a look at some of the famous breads from different parts of the globe:

1. Baguette

This is a long and slender loaf with a crackly crust. The baguette has found a special place in Western pop culture mainly because of its use in films and photographs. One of the reasons behind this French bread’s popularity is that it pairs better with most foods. It has a relatively neutral flavor, which goes with almost anything that you’re served.

You can have this bread dipped into stews and soups owing to its crustiness. The baguette is also great for making sandwiches. One great example of this is ‘jambon-beurre’. It is a French sandwich made using sliced baguette filled with ham slices and salty butter.

2. Tortilla

Tortillas have nourished and nurtured the people living in Mexico and Central America for centuries. When it comes to versatility, there are very few breads that would rival it. This bread is made from a paste of ground corn. It is generally used for wrapping enchiladas and tacos.

You can turn tortillas into chips by cutting them into wedges and baking or frying them. These chips can be eaten with salsa or queso. The chips can also be used for preparing migas or chilaquiles. Fried tortillas are the foundation for dishes like flautas and tostadas.

According to some legends from the Mayan civilization, the gods created humans from a paste of ground maize or corn. The legends say that they had attempted this using wood and mud earlier, but failed. Now, this would probably make you say that tortillas are divine!

3. Paratha

Parathas are commonly eaten in most parts of the Indian subcontinent. The ancestry of this bread can be traced to ancient India. So, it won’t be fair to compare it with the modern pastries and rolls made from folded and buttery dough. It has been around longer than most of the other breads in the world. A paratha has a class of its own and is even different from similar-looking flatbreads such as an Indian ‘roti’.

There are several ways to make parathas. One can prepare them using wheat flour and oil or clarified butter. They can also be stuffed with your choice of ingredients, such as mashed potato. Any time of the day would be good for eating this delectable Indian flatbread.

4. Pita

Yet another flatbread that has a long history, pitas are commonly eaten in the Middle East. The origin of pita dates back to the times when breads were first made. Today, you can find it included in countless recipes by the cooks. You’ll find it in its original form mostly in Israel, Lebanon, and Greece. These are the countries where people have a deep respect for pita, although they may call it by different names.

They like to have it fresh from the oven, paired with the finest meats and dips. The sliced and baked pieces of pita bread became extremely popular in the late 20th century. In America, pita is being adapted according to the local preferences.

5. Bagel

Bagel originated in Eastern Europe’s Jewish bakeries. The original bagel uses flour that’s high on gluten and goes through a brief fermentation process. Hot water is also used to produce the desired result. Once it is taken out of the oven, a bagel is malty, crackly, and chewy. Bagel has gone through several modifications ever since it was first prepared in Eastern Europe.

All such changes were made in the later part of the 20th century. This was when there was a growing demand for bagels in the United States. You can get them in supermarkets and bakeries today, but they rarely taste like the original bagels.

6. Bao

The word ‘bao’ means ‘bun’ in the Chinese language. Originally from China, the bao is a steamed bread. It is slightly sweet, soft, and fluffy. The bao is semi circular and flat with a horizontal fold. When it is opened, the bao appears as if it has been sliced. It is prepared using a bland white dough and is used as an accompaniment to many Chinese dishes.

One of them is the slow-cooked pork belly, which is a meaty dish with rich flavors and texture. The bao is referred to as the lotus leaf bread, when it is stuffed. Today, the lotus leaf bread has become extremely popular outside China. You can find it being used in several cuisines, such as the Mexican and Vietnamese. It was popularized in the United States by the chefs David Chang and Eddie Huang.

7. Sourdough Boule

This sourdough bread was invented in ancient Egypt. Experts believe that it was invented out of accident. The baker chose not to discard his container of bubbling dough, which was caused by the interaction of flour, lactic acid bacteria, water, and wild yeast. It resulted in a delicious loaf, which was then eaten by many.

Today, the health benefits of sourdough boule or sourdough bread are often talked about. It is easy to digest when compared to the other breads and possesses antioxidant qualities. Many love to eat this bread because it complements a wide range of foods.

8. Rugbrod

Rugbrod is a Danish rye bread. Although it is technically a sourdough bread, you’ll see that it doesn’t have that typical airy crumb. This bread has a lower gluten content. It is used as a base for ‘smorrebrod’, which is an open-face Scandinavian sandwich. The smorrebrods have nourished the Danish population for centuries. This delicacy comprises buttered rugbrods stacked with a variety of ingredients.

In this part of the world, wheat flour was not available centuries ago. So, the bakers had to rely on grains that grew in the region. Rye was popular in much of northern Europe in those times as it could survive the harsh cold. So, just like rye, the rugbrod is a bit dense and slightly bitter.

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The biggest benefit of such cakes is that you can easily measure the ingredients. All you have to do is measure them by cups instead of their weight. Cake lovers are attracted to these cakes mostly because of the icing on them. However, the cupcakes were initially meant to provide a simple way of measuring volume.

The bakers later began creating cakes in the shape of the measuring cups. Four standard cake-making ingredients were used in these simple cakes. They were mainly two cups of sugar, a cup of butter, four eggs, and three cups of flour.

Cupcakes and mugcakes

A simple cupcake is plain yellow in color. The cupcakes have to be spooned out into their shape once they’re ready. To make the cupcakes even more interesting and delicious, some extra ingredients are usually added. They include chocolate chips and raisins. A large cake needs longer time to bake than these small cakes. This is mainly due to the surface area of the larger cakes.

You’ll need lesser energy to make the smaller cakes. Today, muffin tins are normally used to prepare cupcakes, and not the cups as before. The muffin tins can hold six to twelve cakes. As muffins are bigger, a bigger cupcake can be made using a muffin tin. Today, a mug is used popularly for making cupcakes.

All the ingredients are put into a mug and the baking is done with a microwave. The entire process takes not more than five minutes and you’ll have a hot snack ready. The cake thus prepared is a mugcake and not really a cup cake. This is because the ingredients used in this method would not fit into a cup.

The use of corrugated paper for efficient baking

The muffin tins are made of metal. This causes the heat from the oven to reach the sides and base of the cupcake. It makes the process of baking cupcakes faster. Often, the paper liners are used so that they’re not greasy to handle. This also stops the cupcakes from crumbling or breaking.

There is a good reason why paper liners are corrugated. It is not just to make them look good. Corrugated paper has a greater strength than plain paper. A paper liner, therefore, will support the cake in a much better way than a plain one.

Decorating the cupcake

The top of a cupcake can be decorated and it remains that way until eaten. This is one of the major advantages of such cakes. A flat cake’s decoration has to be cut up, while the cupcake’s decoration often becomes a work of art. This is what makes cupcakes attract people’s attention instantly. Cupcakes can also be made into themes.

The best examples are the ones made with a Christmas or a Halloween theme. These cakes can also be made into several other themes. You can also come up with your own simple theme, such as a cupcake representing each month of the year. This can also be a week or a day. No matter what theme you use for making cupcakes, they’re to be eventually eaten.

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Some of the different types of tart have a shell that’s prepared in advance. While exploring a supermarket, you might find such shells in the frozen foods section. Those who make tarts at home usually use fresh food items rather than the pre-packaged ones.

You’ll see that these desserts generally have a flavor that’s quite pungent. Many believe this to be the reason behind the origin of term ‘tart’. However, you can also find tarts that are sweet. Some tarts are miniature in size and are mostly used for single or snack-sized serving.

They are prepared using small tart pans made of aluminum and typically have a round shape. The tarts are popular items in school lunchboxes. They are also packed by many individuals for their trips or vacations. Some of the tarts popularly eaten by people are those prepared with real fruit filling. Let’s explore some of them here:

1. Lemon tarts

Lemon is a fruit commonly used for making tarts. A lemon tart mostly comprises a pastry shell with a filling that’s flavored with the fruit. This filling can be prepared in a saucepan and added to the case of the baked pastry. Lemon tarts are quite similar to lemon pies.

2. Cherry tarts

Cherry is yet another choice in fruits used for making tarts. It is popularly used in homemade tarts. Cherries or blueberries are two common ingredients used by bakers for making tarts because of their natural sweetness.

3. Pineapple tarts

Pineapple tarts are commonly favored as desserts in Hawaii. This American state is quite well-known for its pineapples. Since they are widely available in Hawaii, it’s quite obvious that you’ll find many desserts made with them. Another variety of tart you’ll come across in this state is the one made with coconut.

4. Apple tarts

Prepared with slices of fresh apple, these tarts are flavored with cinnamon. Nutmeg and raisins are also used in the preparation of apple tarts. You can soak the raisins for several hours in a shallow pan of rum. It will make them extra plump. You can then use them in addition to apples and nutmeg while making the apple tarts.

5. Mixed fruit tarts

Two or more fruits are used for making the mixed fruit tarts. Among the common ingredients found in these tarts are mixed berries. The pastry shell is filled with their slices and is garnished with a slice of fresh fruit on top once finished. The tart would also have some whipped cream, preserves, or any of the other homemade toppings.

There are several other tarts prepared using a variety of ingredients other than fruits. Among them are butter and eggs. Usually, the dough used for making the crust or pastry is kneaded with great care. This is done either with a rolling pin or by hand.

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In this process, they’ve managed to create some sweet recipes with ingredients such as yogurts, oats, and nut butters. Some have also made desserts using vegetables. Here, we’ve listed a few such desserts that are light, healthy, and delicious:

1. Chocolate-covered bananas

This is one of the healthiest options in desserts that would never fail to delight you. It is made using a coating of dark chocolate around a banana. Chocolate-covered bananas taste even better if they’re kept in a freezer for a sufficient amount of time. You can make small portions of chocolate-covered bananas and keep them in the freezer. When you’re craving for a bite, just take out one of those and savor the treat!

2. Peanut butter oatmeal bars

This dessert contains everything you’d want in your treat. It has a chewy texture, an inviting sweet peanut flavor, and a sprinkle of chocolate on the top. The peanut butter oatmeal bars can be compared to the quick-bite cookies. A major difference here is that the peanut butter oatmeal bars are easier to prepare.

They’re also one of those healthy desserts you’d love to eat. The sweetness of this dessert and a tinge of saltiness makes it worth tasting.

3. Sauteed apples

You’ll find sauteed apples a lot more healthy than most of the other desserts. Preparation of this dessert doesn’t involve baking or some highly advanced skills. All you need to do is slice some apples and saute them in spices and butter. Once it is ready, you can enjoy this dessert with a vanilla ice cream topping. You can also use whipped cream in place of vanilla ice cream.

4. Healthy chocolate pudding

This is a perfect delicacy to have whenever you’re craving for a chocolate-based dessert. It is made using dark cocoa powder, maple syrup, and Greek yogurt. This pudding gives you the probiotics and protein of yogurt and satisfies your craving for chocolate.

A healthy chocolate pudding usually tastes like a dark chocolate pudding and can be prepared in just two minutes. You can also make a Vegan Chocolate Pudding, if you want a plant-based chocolate dessert.

5. Chickpea Cookie Dough

This is not your usual cookie dough, as it uses less sugar and butter. It makes you feel like you’re truly enjoying a treat, as it has a fabulous taste. For the health-conscious individuals craving for cookie dough, this would be an ideal dessert.

6. Chocolate Zucchini Cake

A chocolate zucchini cake is one of the inventive ways to enjoy a healthy food in the form of a dessert. This cake is made using zucchini, maple syrup, and almond butter as the main ingredients. A dairy-free and gluten-free cake, it is a gooey dessert with just the right amount of sweetness. Besides, it is quite rich and chocolaty.

7. Roasted peaches

This dessert uses the ripest peaches and is so delicious that you’ll be raving about it for several days. You can prepare it by throwing some sweet, juicy, and ripe pears into the broiler and getting them caramelized and soft. You can then top them with some fresh mint and vanilla ice cream. Roasted peaches make for quick fruit desserts and are among the world’s best treats.

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