An important aspect of the French diet has always been their bread and pastries. Due to an abundance of wheat and rye found in the countryside, France has become infamous for it’s wide variety of bread. At first, baguettes and pastries were reserved from the wealthier levels of society. However, in the 18th and 19th centuries, many riots occurred over grain and bread. One particular riot actually resulted in the fall of Bastille on July 14th, 1789. This contributed to the beginning of the French Revolution and the search of arms and grains. With rising bread prices, there was an accusation of people hoarding bread which caused unrest among a majority of the population. Then prices turned around in the 19th century and returned back to their original state. After the riots came to a stop, bread became a part of nearly all French meals, regardless of social class. Loaves of bread in France were not known as “baguettes” until 1920. The word “baguette” stands for the Latin word baccheto, meaning staff or stick. Before the 20th century, rich people only bought white bread to signify their social class but this changed when people realized that whole wheat flour was actually much healthier for you. Also, now there is the ability to buy a multitude of different types of bread. In France, bread is bought at stores called boulangeries. Fresh bread would not typically be found in your average grocery store.
Sources:
"History of the Baguette." The Good Life France. N.p., 19 June 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
"The French and Their Bread..." PocketCultures RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
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