Close your eyes and imagine, walking into a bakery, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Memories of your grandmother’s kitchen? Delicious desserts your momma used to make? Fresh baked cookies after school? Many of us share these same wonderful memories, but let’s take a step back and skip down memory lane to pay homage to the pioneers of baked goods perfection.
We can’t talk about the design of baking of cakes, cookies and confectionary delights without knowing a little about the origin of bread, which is where it all began. The earliest recording of bread making is 8,000 BC in Egypt. Grain was crushed with a quern and bakers produced what looked like tortillas. The world’s oldest oven was discovered in Croatia and dates back to 6,500 years ago.
According to food historians, the oncoming demand for baked goods continued and the first bakers guild was established in 168 BC in Rome. Ancient Egyptians were the first to show evidence of advanced baking skills which dates back to the 13th century and when sugar was introduced, it was a game changer, cheap and sweet which transformed heavy and dull pastries into sweet and light heavenly delights.
Along with the 16th and 17th centuries, baking was transformed as globalization occurred and many people started baking at home. Recipes and baked goods literature became popular. It was also a time when kitchen equipment made its way onto the scene, with “cake hoops” also known as cake tins.
Of course, we’ve come a long way today with the modernization of ingredients, baking tools and techniques and with just a little bit of effort, you too can become an experienced baker, all you have to do is turn on the TV and watch any number of baking challenges, hop on YouTube and learn how to whisk, whip and blind bake just about anything… And don’t forget, if you just want to enjoy the delicious delights of cookies, cakes and cannolis, search for local bakeries near me. Plenty of options should appear to help satisfy your sweet tooth and maybe a treat for your 4-legged friend too!
https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/a-brief-history-of-baking/