Why do people in Brazil eat “French bread”?
By João Pinheiro + sources
This is one of those questions that seem obvious, but they are not that much. Who says the reason is the bread consumed in Brazil is the same as made in France is wrong! Yeah… Read why.
Not wishing to spoil anyone’s trip but those who come into a bakery in Paris and ask for “un pain français, s’il vous plaît” (“a French bread, please”) will encounter difficulties. Even after much gesticulation, should come out with just a piece of baguette. The reason is that the bread also known as “salt bread” and “cacetinho” and that most of Brazil called “French” does not exist in France.
Translation problems began in the early 19th century. At that time, the popular bread in France was short, cylindrical, with hard core and gold crust — a precursor of the baguette, that only solidified the long shape in the 20th century. Meanwhile, in Brazil, the common bread was with dark crumb and crust, a tropical version of Italian bread.
When the elite of newly independent Brazil traveled to Paris, returned to her describing the bread to their bakers, who did their best to reproduce the recipe described. This oral gastronomy originated the “Brazilian French bread” that differs from your source for European inspiration, especially because it has sugar and fat inside the dough. The tribute is unconnected with the honoree.
Source: Superinteressante
