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October 16th is International Bread Day!

The importance of bread is the most important staple food

Every year on October 16, the international “Day of Bread” has been celebrated for around 30 years – at the same time as World Food Day. This day aims to remember the importance of bread as the most important staple food for millions of people worldwide and at the same time to promote appreciation for the bakery trade and for bread as food.

What exactly is bread?

The traditional bread consists of grain (flour), water, salt, and sourdough as a leavening agent. A general distinction is made between leavened bread, to which yeast or sourdough is added for a fluffy texture, and unleavened bread, such as flatbread. Furthermore, in the Austrian food book, one finds the distinction between rye, wheat, and mixed bread as well as other types of bread.

“Other types of bread” include bread in which other raw materials are used (e.g. graham bread, whey bread, linseed bread, sprouts bread, stonemason bread, potato bread, wholemeal bread, or Kletzenbrot) or where special production methods are used (e.g. pumpernickel or Crispbread). Bread with suitable recipes for special dietary needs also falls into this group (e.g. gluten-free bread).

The proportion of gluten (glutinous protein) in the grain is essential for the ability of the bread to be baked. Gluten-free grains (such as buckwheat, corn, millet, amaranth, and quinoa), which are used as a substitute for bread in people with celiac disease, lack this property. Therefore, gluten-free bread usually consists of its own flour mixture and special recipe.

Classification of bread

Bread is also classified according to the types of grain used, such as rye, wheat, spelled, Kamut, emmer, einkorn, or according to the degree of grinding (the distinction between wholemeal flour and “white” flour). In German-speaking countries, the terms “white bread”, “gray bread” and “black bread” are often used, with “black bread” often being mistakenly equated with whole grain bread.

According to the legal definition, wholemeal bread must consist of at least 90% wholemeal rye and/or wheat products (wholemeal meal or finely ground wholemeal flour) and the added amount of acid must consist of at least two-thirds sourdough. Multigrain bread that uses at least three different grains is not necessarily whole grain bread.

By the way, baking bread yourself is not as difficult as you might think at first. We’ll tell you valuable tips and tricks and delicious bread recipes. You can also find numerous instruction videos for homemade bread here! It’s best to take the international “Day of Bread” as an occasion and try it out!

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Culture

The International Coffee Day

Coffee is the most popular hot beverage in Europe. Reason enough to dedicate a day of honor to coffee: Coffee Day. On October 1st, the world celebrates International Coffee Day every year and celebrates the hot and favorite drink of the Germans. But how did Coffee Day come about in the first place?

This occasion is reason enough to uncover the background and international preferences surrounding coffee enjoyment.

The day of coffee: history and actions

The “Day of Coffee” was initiated in 2006 by the Coffee Association as an international day. Since then, the day of honor has been celebrated every year in autumn. On October 1, 2016, Coffee Day will be celebrated together with International Coffee Day for the first time.

Since then, International Coffee Day has had a fixed calendar date. Every year, coffee lovers, roasters and manufacturers plan exciting events and promotions all about the hot drink. New coffee variations are presented, tastings take place, guided tours of roasting plants are offered and exciting information about coffee is conveyed.

Did you know, that …? Four interesting facts about the day of coffee

Did you know that coffee is drunk more often in Germany than beer and water? On average, every German drinks over 160 liters of coffee a year, which corresponds to 2 – 4 cups a day.
Did you know that Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer and world champion exporter?
Did you know that coffee grounds are ideal for use as a fertilizer for plants?
Did you know that the German Coffee Association developed an unusual coffee cocktail, the “Lighthouse Coffee”, especially for this special day?

Truths about coffee consumption and other coffee cultures

There are many differences in terms of preparation, coffee culture and coffee consumption, both on an international and national level. On the occasion of International Coffee Day, we reveal:

As far as the consumption of green coffee is concerned, Germany ranks 7th in the world with 6.4 kg. Austria ranks fifth with 6.5 kg per capita. A lot of coffee is drunk in Germany, France and Italy. Every country has its preferences when it comes to preparing coffee with different devices and machines, such as hand filters, espresso makers or fully automatic coffee machines. Some countries prefer the filter coffee machine, others swear by the traditional preparation with the stovetop pot.

There have never been so many ways to prepare coffee in history, be it with the coffee capsule machine, the fully automatic coffee machine, the office coffee machine, the espresso maker or the original boiling in the mocha pot. Each country celebrates its own coffee culture. In Scandinavia, coffee is brewed with the water pot. The French like to drink café au lait, while the Italians prefer espresso or cappuccino. And Turkish coffee culture is on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Regardless of how, where and when you prefer to drink coffee: Celebrate International Coffee Day on October 1st with other coffee lovers. So raise the coffee cups!

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Food

International coffee enjoyment: this is how the specialty is drunk in different countries

Coffee is a popular drink around the world: Whether coffee from the espresso maker, coffee from the French press, coffee from the capsule machine, hand-brewed, with or without milk, schnapps, cream, ice cubes, warm, cold or something in between – all over the world they cultivate Coffee drinkers their own coffee rituals, drinking habits and preparation methods. Different coffee specialties have developed in the countries of the world, which are now internationally popular. We present some of them to you!

But coffee is more than just a hot pick-me-up. Internationally, coffee drinkers connect very differently. Find out what coffee lovers associate with their favorite pick-me-up and what a good cup of coffee really means to you.

International coffee specialties – Country 1: Italy

Italy is the home of espresso – internationally, the southern European country is also associated with delicious coffee specialties. For the Italians themselves, only coffee from the espresso maker is good coffee. There is hardly a coffee specialty that is not based on coffee from the espresso maker.

Simple caffè, caffè lungo, caffè macchiato or cappuccino are just a few of the variants that people like to drink frequently. In fact, Italy is the country with the most cafés in the world; unlike in other countries, the coffee from the espresso maker is not drunk in company or over a longer period of time, but rather quickly and while standing. That’s why the Italians also expect their coffee to be at the right drinking temperature straight from the espresso maker.

International coffee specialties – Country 2: Austria

In Austria, the espresso coffee machine is a guarantee for coffee drinks that provide warmth and energy. The Austrians have a long coffee tradition and attach great importance to the beloved little black dress. This is clearly shown in the many typical coffee houses that are internationally known.

Coffee machines are also popular, as Austrians love all kinds of coffee specialities. Just like the Germans, they associate warmth with the hot drink. What makes them different is that they see coffee as a source of energy. They really appreciate the waking effect.

International coffee specialties – Country 3: Switzerland

The Swiss are internationally known and valued for their high quality of life and excellent cuisine. For the Swiss, the love of coffee is simply part of it and therefore also associated with love. This is even more important to the Swiss than the positive quality as an energy supplier. Enjoying coffee is a matter of the heart for the Swiss.

So it is not surprising that this love is the mother of invention: Coffee from the capsule machine is very popular in European countries and internationally – and who invented it? Guessed correctly. A Swiss food company was the first to come up with the idea of ​​producing, portioning and packaging coffee for a capsule machine. In addition, the Swiss like to drink their coffee refined with cream, which is also known among connoisseurs as café mélange. But other coffee specialties are also popular in the country: Kafi Luz or Kafi GT – variants with herbal schnapps or liqueurs.

International coffee specialties – Country 4: Denmark

The Danes like it uncomplicated: coffee from the French press is the second most popular way of preparing coffee for the northerners. The “Stempelkande Kaffe” is portioned with a teaspoon of coffee in a cup of water.

For many Danes, the daily consumption of three to four cups of coffee from the French press is part of “hygge” – a term for a positive attitude to life, cosiness and well-being. The internationally popular coffee to go is not very common in Denmark. Instead, in cafés or restaurants, the coffee is served directly in a French press or in a thermos flask, from which you can help yourself.

International Coffee Specialties – Country 5: Poland

In Poland, the espresso coffee machine is used for a hot drink that arouses passion. Filter coffee machines are particularly common in this country. Many also appreciate the espresso coffee machine to prepare a strong espresso.

If you ask people in Poland about their associations with coffee, you will mostly hear passion as the answer. Coffee and espresso wake up tired spirits. The association with home is also very widespread. Wherever Poles enjoy a coffee, they feel at home and welcome.

International specialty coffees – Country 6: USA

The USA is internationally the country with the most coffee imports. Your constant thirst for the black gold is quenched with a wide variety of coffee specialties. The coffee is often drunk heavily: if you order a Black Eye, Bulls Eye, Red Eye or Dead Eye (depending on the region), you will usually receive two espressos in combination with black filter coffee.

Another popular variant, “Iced Coffee” is not the same as the German version “Eis Kaffee” – in the USA the glass is filled to the top with ice cubes instead of ice cream.

International coffee specialties – Country 7: Germany

In Germany, in addition to convenient preparation options such as coffee from the capsule machine, handmade coffees are also in vogue again: coffee from the French press, the hand filter or coffee from the espresso maker is finding more and more fans. The coffee does not necessarily have to be hot:

In some processes, the coffee is produced as a “cold brew” and the coffee also stays cold with one of the typical German coffee specialties: the iced coffee is consumed with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. The country’s coffee drinkers associate warmth, love, peace, joy and security with their favorite drink. The hot drink replaces the hustle and bustle of everyday life with relaxation and enjoyment, and Germans prefer to enjoy their coffee with their partner or alone.

International coffee specialties – Country 8: Czech Republic

In this country, coffee is highly valued and drunk a lot. For people, coffee means rest. It brings serenity to the stressful everyday life and creates a welcome moment to pause and calm down. Community is very important to coffee drinkers in the Czech Republic: they prefer to drink coffee together than alone.

International coffee specialties – Country 9: Eritrea

The Eritreans have a very special relationship with coffee, which is only common in a few international countries. They celebrate coffee in a traditional coffee ceremony, which takes place up to three times a day. Coffee is considered a true delicacy in Eritrea, which should be prepared with the utmost respect.

Part of the ceremony is therefore to freshly roast the coffee beans yourself. When dark enough, the roasted beans are placed on a rush mat and passed around to all the participants in the coffee ceremony, who fan the aroma with their hands. The coffee is then ground and poured into a special clay vessel called a jebena, into which cold water is then poured. Finally, along with some spices, the mixture is heated on the stove for 15 to 30 minutes and then cooled again so that the coffee does not boil over. When it is ready, Eritreans stick a tuft of horsehair into the spout of the vessel to separate the liquid from the remaining coffee grounds when pouring the coffee specialty.

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