A Bread By Any Other Name -Post #5

Bread is something I simply couldn't live my life without. There are so many types with an incredible variety of flavors and textures, bread comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors, it is one of the few food people of every class and nearly every country enjoy. It is truly a food of the people. I found both our discussion in class and the reading's discussion on how bread, though for everyone, was divided by class interesting. It is fascinating that white breads were for the upper class where whole wheat breads were for the poor, especially considering that this has seemingly flipped on its head. In modern times whole wheat/grain breads have become highly desired and tend to be more expensive than their white bread counterparts. I wonder when and why this trend flipped on its head? Was it the wish for a healthier option or was it a wish for a return to a more artisanal product? Whatever the case, I'm glad it has flipped because I personally enjoy whole grain/wheat breads much more than the  processed white breads found in the US, not only are they healthier but I think the flavor tends to be better. I haven't eaten as much whole grain/wheat bread here in Italy as I usually do at home, in fact, I don't think I've had any. I've had excellent crusty bread when I've been out to eat, but it has always been a white bread.
Then there is the bread at mensa. For those of you who are non-JFRC readers, mensa is where we can eat lunch and dinner. Now I'm not one to complain  about the food at mensa, for cafeteria food it has been beyond excellent. There are tons of fresh, delicious options including pizzas, pastas and a seemingly endless stream of freshly cooked vegetables. However, the bread can leave something to be desired. It isn't horrible, especially when it's a fresher batch. But in all honesty it's a bread bubble, it's got a bread crust but is mostly air.

It does the job of getting that last bit of delicious pasta sauce and it's really good as a late night snack with some Nutella on it, but compared to the bread I've had out it falls a little short. (Seriously though mensa has been pretty great and the people that work there are so kind and have been super helpful in regards to helping me learn Italian!)
Bread in Italy is used in far less traditional ways here in Italy. Sure it can be used for paninis,

A caprese panino.

 to get that pasta bowl clean, to hold whatever delicious ingredients are in the bruschetta you are enjoying

A delicious bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, a bread filled with vegetables and cheese and mixed aperitivi.

but it can also be used in Panzanella salad or put in soups to make them thicker and more filling or even as a desert.

Ciabatta with Nutella

 Bread is not merely a carrier here, its an ingredient and an essential part of te Italian diet. In ancient times grain, which was often made into some kind of bread, was part of the Mediterranean triad. Bread has been important to Italians since ancient times and for a long time to come.