You’ve probably heard of unleavened bread, especially around Passover and other religious holidays. But do you know what is Unleavened Bread? How is it different from leavened bread? and their types?
Don’t Fret, in this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Unleavened Bread. From how it’s made to its history and origins, its religious significance in religions, and their types from around the world. But first, let’s start with what is unleavened bread.
What is Unleavened Bread?
Unleavened bread is a type of bread made without yeast and other leavening agents. It’s often a flatbread, cracker-like, and made from wheat flour or other flours, water, and salt. It’s associated with religious traditions such as Passover in Judaism and the Eucharist in Christianity.
History and Origins
Unleavened bread is considered the oldest bread in the world, dating back to the prehistoric Neolithic period, around 14 BC. It is believed to have been first made by hunters and gatherers in the Black Desert of Jordan from wheat, wild barley, and plant roots.
Religious Significance of Unleavened Bread
Unleavened bread has symbolic significance in both Christianity and Judaism. Jews and Christians eat unleavened bread, such as matzo, during Passover and the Eucharist, respectively, As commanded by the Bible in Exodus 12:18.
For Jews
Unleavened bread played an important role in ancient Egypt. When the Israelites left Egypt, they were in a hurry and didn’t have time for their bread to rise. So they made unleavened bread called matzah to eat on their journey. This event became the inspiration for the Jewish festival of Passover sacrifice, where matzah is eaten to symbolize the bread of affliction and the hastiness of the exodus from Egypt.
For Christians
In the Christian tradition, unleavened bread is used in Communion to represent Jesus’ body, according to the Gospel accounts (Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19). The unleavened wafers or bread signify Jesus’ sacrifice and the new covenant established through His death and resurrection. During the Last Supper, Christ broke unleavened bread and shared it with his disciples, telling them “This is my body given for you.” Christians partake of unleavened Communion bread to remember Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice.
Different Christian denominations may have variations in their practices and interpretations between Eastern Churches and the Catholic Church including the Latin Church. But, the symbolism of unleavened bread remains consistent across most traditions.
To summarize, unleavened bread holds sacred meaning for both Christians and Jews. It represents liberation, sacrifice, faith, and God’s eternal love and provision. Partaking of unleavened bread, whether at the Lord’s Supper or the Passover, is a sacred act that connects believers to spiritual truth and God Himself.
Feast of Unleavened Bread
The feast of unleavened bread begins on the 15th and ends on the 21st day of Nisan. During these seven days. all leaven, whether in bread or other mixtures is prohibited and only Matzo may be eaten.
Leavened vs Unleavened Bread
Unleavened bread does not contain yeast, so it does not rise. It tends to be dense, cracker-like, and crunchy. Some well-known types of unleavened bread include tortillas, pita, matzo, and lavash.
In contrast, most leavened bread uses yeast and other leavening agents. When the yeast ferments, it releases carbon dioxide gas that is trapped in the dough, causing it to expand and become airy. Some of the most popular types of leavened bread include white bread, French bread, and sourdough bread.
Without yeast, leavened bread would be very dense and hard. The yeast is necessary to give them an airy, spongy texture. In contrast, while unleavened bread may be less airy than its leavened counterparts, its ease, simplicity, and heartiness lend it a charm all its own.
Types of Unleavened Bread
Unleavened breads come in many shapes, sizes, and flavors around the world. Here are some of the most common types of unleavened bread:
Tortilla
An essential Mexican dish and popular in the southwestern United States, tortilla is flatbread typically made out of masa harina or flour, lard or oil, and water. Flour tortillas deliver a neutral sweet taste and are used for everything from tacos and burritos to enchiladas and quesadillas.
Matzo
Also known as matzah is a classic Jewish unleavened bread, traditionally eaten during the seven-day holiday of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Made from flour and water, it’s pierced with tiny holes and baked quickly at a very high temperature. Some people enjoy eating matzo with toppings like butter, cheese, or jam
Lavash
One of the oldest types of bread in the world, Lavash, is a soft, thin flatbread that originates from and is popular in Armenia, Iran, and the Middle East. It’s made from flour, water, and salt which is then rolled out very thinly and baked. Lavash bread tends to be fairly large, up to 3 feet in diameter and is commonly used to wrap meats cheeses, salads, or wrap around kebab or khorovats.
Dumper
Classic Australian bread and typically made from wheat flour, salt, and water. It features a dense, chewy texture and is baked over coals or in a camp oven. The Bread ingredients are simple and primitive, reflecting the beginnings of the damper as bread made by Australian bushmen while camping. To make it, wheat flour is mixed with salt to taste and enough water to form a stiff dough.
Related: Types of Unleavened bread
Simple Recipe for Unleavened Bread
Ingredients
- 4 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Water
- 1 ½ Tsps Sea Salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the water, sea salt, and 3 cups of the all-purpose flour and mix with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes, when the dough becomes consistent and sticky, add the rest of the flour in two batches and continue mixing for another 2 minutes, until the dough comes together and gets a little firmer.
- Place the dough on your work surface and roll it into a ball. Divide the ball into 6 equal pieces and roll them into a ball.
- Preheat the skillet over medium heat.
- Take a ball of dough and roll it out to 7-8 inches in diameter, then place it in the pan and bake for 3 minutes on each side, and use a slotted turner to flip it over. When golden brown circles appear in the loaf, remove the loaf from the pan, place it on a plate and cover it with a napkin to keep it warm.
- Repeat with the rest of the dough balls.
If you want a complete guide on how to make this bread at home. Check out this easy recipe for unleavened bread.
