The pandemic has changed our lives radically, leaving clear structural problems that we face at the national and international levels. And she also provided us with unbelievable amounts of homemade bread .
In the beginning, many people tried to store bread at the supermarket at home, at a time when no one wore a mask. Then some decided to take an extra step, making their own bread at home. The mills did not realize it, and there was a lack of flour on the shelves (some tried to buy it over the internet). It was also difficult to find yeast, which led many people to experiment with homemade yeast.
It seems that everyone tried to learn how to make bread and natural yeast. And even those who have not reached this level of sophistication have at least tried banana bread.
But why bread? So much for cooking or baking, why was bread that great isolation star?
Bread has been an essential food since the first agricultural activities of humans in the Middle East. In religion, bread is a key symbol of the Eucharist, not to mention the Our Father (“give us today our daily bread”). In Judaism, unfermented bread is consumed on Passover, Passover, to remember the flight of Jews from Egypt. Bread is closely associated with the history of mankind, this is very clear.
And preparing things in the oven, especially for others, can have several psychological benefits. It is a form of expression and communication, an opportunity to relax, a healthy distraction. Making bread can be a great way to relieve stress.
But what other reasons led us to become amateur bakers? We asked our readers. The answers give interesting and deeper insights than we expected. See what they said:
DAMON DAHLEN / HUFFPOST; PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES
Why are people making so much homemade bread in quarantine?
Because it gives a sense of control
“My first thought: I am capable of making bread, so I am not powerless. It is a therapeutic activity, which unites body and mind to create something healthy. And seeing the end result is very rewarding. Furthermore, it is healthier than making cake. ” – Sofía Slawinska
“Making bread gave me a feeling of success at a time of many challenges and uncertainties. The smell, the pat to see if it was ready, the first bite of the bread that just came out of the oven, all of this is comforting. ” – Diana Everhart Hanna
“I’ve been making a lot of bread recently! It helps me to have some control and to be creative in a scary world out of our control. ” – Emily Young
Because it is rewarding and relaxing
“I’ve always loved the smell of dough growing. Furthermore, it is so rewarding to follow this process. I make bread once a week. My husband and my 10 month old daughter love it. I’m sure that I will continue when things return to ‘normal’. ” – Allie Gaebler
“Bread comforts and reminds us that there are still good things in the world.” – Linda Krajewski
“In this moment of silence, in this moment of deeper reflection, I am trying to recover some pleasures in life that have been lost over the years, in addition to creating new rituals. Daily walks, happy hour with friends at Zoom, lazy afternoons with my dog, cooking the family’s favorite recipes and resuming the habit of making bread. ” – Lisa Reavis Drum
“I had already baked bread at home before and now I started baking again. I like the sensory experience of combining simple ingredients, kneading the dough, forming the breads and turning it into a magical food. The bread has a comforting aroma that spreads throughout the house and fills my belly with comfort. ” – Liz Graham
“I always made bread, but I decided to try baking it, since I’m at home and I can take care of it. I go to the kitchen when I’m stressed I think bread is the most relaxing thing to do. It is not easy, because success depends on many factors … Humidity, temperature, climate, etc. And bread is much more versatile than cakes or cookies. ” – LeAnna Ramsey Hawkins
Because it helps you take root
“Bread is essential. Humanity breaks bread to connect and nourish itself since the beginning of time. It is comforting, rewarding and easy to share. Bread is paramount. Bread is life. ” – Rachel Robertson
“Bread is what we want and need now. It is at the same time salt of the earth, healthy food and forbidden fruit (carbohydrates). What could be more perfect? Life is confused at the moment and nobody really knows what to do. There is a certain comfort in kneading bread, knowing that our mothers and grandmothers did the same to feed their families (OK, even though the mixer is doing the job today). So, yes, I am completely dedicated. ” – Tammy Knox Miles
“Now, in this endless house arrest, I have time and I don’t feel bad about having to be stuck at home.”
Because he honors his story
“My father, who was a descendant of Mennonites, and his family went through the Great Depression with 11 children, and I was ALWAYS brought up eating flour and yeast at home. They also taught me how to prepare my own yeast, if it wasn’t available to buy. ” – Beth Victor
“My grandmother, who passed away recently, was an American and moved to the Philippines to marry my grandfather, during World War II. During the war, she prepared French bread for American soldiers every day. Then she started making hamburger bread, which led her to open a restaurant, The Beehive, in Cebu City. I was lucky enough to inherit the bread recipe and I make it almost every weekend. I also distribute among the neighbors. I make bread to honor my grandmother. In memory of Hazel Graham Gonzalez. My namesake. ” – Hazel Nicole Pokorny
Because it helps others
“The smell of homemade bread spreading through the neighborhood puts a smile on every face it reaches. I’ve been making rustic breads for weeks and distributing them to my neighbors. Everyone is so thankful! It reminds us of spending time in the kitchen with our grandmothers, happy times. The bonus is that there is little or no chemical in the homemade breads. ” – Lola Tortola
“I started making homemade bread so that my parents didn’t have to go to the supermarket every other day just to buy bread.” – Taina Rodriguez
Because you become a better consumer
“My motivations are a combination of trying to produce less waste, consuming less processed foods and learning a new skill that makes me proud. He had had a jar of dry yeast in the pantry for months. Stuck at home and stressed, I thought it was the perfect excuse to start. My first three attempts were … OK. You can still improve a lot! ” – Kim Edwards
Because now we have time
“I make bread because I have time now! I used to work 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, on average. I didn’t want to spend my day off at home making bread. Now, in this endless house arrest, I have time and I don’t feel bad about having to be stuck at home. ” – Jackie Martinez
“I love making bread! But now I have time to let it grow properly and put it in the oven at the right time, because I know I’ll be home! I’ve made 8 or 9 bagel-style breads. ” – Stephanie del Carmen
“It had been years since I had so much free time. I haven’t baked bread since my son was little and I was taking care of him. I’ve always liked baking, gardening and other housework. But I was just too busy with work to dedicate myself. ” – Claudia Bouchacourt
