The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans were some of the first people to really get into baking and create materials and tools that would help in the process. Around 4000 B.C.E, the first breads began to be baked. The bread was unleavened except for the fermentation process of noble rot, steam, or wild yeast to help it rise naturally. The Egyptians were the ones who created the most simplistic version of an oven, baking materials made of the earth, and even made materials that helped with grinding. The Egyptians also helped to introduce the fermentation process of bread to make it rise. The Romans helped to perfect baking by establishing the first official bakers in the Western world. In addition, they also helped to promote the training and preparation of baking. Lastly, the Greeks were the ones who became specialists in pastries and cakes. They were able to incorporate baking concepts and specialties to make each of their delicious baked goods unique and yummy.

What you need to know is that baking overall was a luxury that not everyone was able to enjoy. Generally, people who baked were wealthier and had the ability to get all of the ingredients that would go into making bread and other baked goods. Ovens were not a permanent fixture in any household and bread as a staple didn’t enter the home until after the Medieval Period. If you were interested in getting bread for your family, you had to go to a bread baker in London. Baked goods in England during the Middle Ages were mostly compiled of bread either with wheat if you were wealthy or rye if you were poor. If you were rich, you had baked goods that were beautiful and colored creatively. If you were poor, you hoped that you could buy a meat pie.

As baking progressed in the 16th and 17th centuries, you were able to have cheaper sugar, butter, cream, and even raisins to help sweeten your baked goods. Furthermore, you had more cooking recipes written down and people were able to cook different cakes and buns. Dessert was also created so you could help digest the filling meal you had just eaten.

Baking has a long history. The materials that were cultivated during the time people were experimenting with baking helped us to create the delicious baked goods that are on the dining table now and available in our store. Now, the next time you feel guilty about eating dessert after a meal, remember that you’re only eating it to help digest the meal you just consumed. If you have any questions or concerns about our cookies or want to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out. All you need to do is contact us by form or fill our online contact form.

Yellowdoor ID

This article was published in October 2013 in BBC History Magazine