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White bread is a type of bread that is made from either all-purpose flour or wheat flour. The wheat flour version of the white bread is made by removing the bran and the germ layers from the wheatberry during the milling process. White bread has been scrutinised for its nutritional profile as many people believe that it is not good for health. Some people might experience blood sugar hikes upon the consumption of white bread which is why it is considered unhealthy by certain segments of society.
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However, consumption of white bread in moderation is not harmful to one's health. The best part about white bread is its versatility factor. Most bread-based dishes can be easily made by using white bread. Be it cheese sandwiches, bread rolls, bread poha, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and many more. Every dish simply tastes better when white bread is used to make it. Now that white bread is such an important part of everyone's life, here are some interesting facts about white bread that everyone must know.
* Invention
The invention of white bread can be traced back to some of the oldest civilisations, such as Mesopotamia as well as the settlements in Egypt. People in those areas used to make flatbreads using refined flour from wheat and some salt. That version of white bread was very different from the one that we eat today. However, white bread was certainly in its inception stage during that time. Around 6000 years ago, the consumption of bread was only limited to the elite section of the society.
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* Industrial Changes
It was during the Industrial Revolution that the landscape of bread consumption totally changed. As women also started working more frequently, the need for something that could be cooked instantly surged up. In the early 19th century, a lot of machines that could produce goods on a large scale were invented. With the invention of these machines, bread now become affordable and accessible to most people.
* Texture And Taste
One of the biggest reasons why white bread is so popular despite its disputable nutritional profile is its texture as well as taste. White bread is characterised by its very soft texture and slightly sweet taste. Because of such a favourable texture and taste, it is opportune for making different types of dishes and has a diverse culinary application. The neutral taste of this bread makes it perfect for a savoury and spicy sandwich as it helps in setting the tone of the sandwich right. It goes equally well for making desserts.
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* Varieties
Currently, conventional white bread is available in a lot of different types of varieties. One will get the classic sandwich loaves that are a lot smoother and bigger than the general white bread. One can also find sugar-free and fat-free alternatives to white bread. Recently, many variants such as preservative-free white bread have also been launched in the market. These brands have a similar texture and flavour to regular bread but do not have any harmful ingredients.
* Recipe
White bread is made from ingredients like wheat flour or refined flour, water, salt, yeast, and sometimes sugar. All of these ingredients are mixed together to make a very fluffy dough. The dough is then left to rest for some hours so that the yeast starts acting up and makes the dough rise properly. Then dough must be given a proper shape and should be cooked inside the oven until it cooks properly.
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* Unhealthy
The major reason why white bread is considered unhealthy is because of its high glycemic index. It can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels and white bread doesn't necessarily have any important nutrients that can compensate for the high sugar or glycaemic index. People who consume white bread as their main source of carbohydrates are more susceptible to facing nutritional deficiencies, as compared to the ones who choose whole wheat bread.
* Longer Shelf Life
Another important fact about white bread that people should know is that it has a longer shelf life as compared to other types of bread. As white bread is made from refined flour and not too many ingredients, it can stay fresh for a longer amount of time as compared to the other types of bread. This makes the white bread a convenient option for people who want to purchase something that has a longer shelf life so that they do not have to shop again and again
