Credit by Time Out | Roti Canai
[RANKED] Southeast Asia Delicacies on 50 of the World’s Best Bread
SOCIO-CULTURE Indonesia

[RANKED] Southeast Asia Delicacies on 50 of the World’s Best Bread

CNN Travel released 50 of the World’s Best Bread to mark the World Bread Day on October 16.

From the rich layers of Malaysian roti canai to Turkey's seed-crusted simit, bread around the world reflects the culture.

Bread historian William Rubel argues that creating a strict definition of bread is unnecessary, even counterproductive. "Bread is basically what your culture says it is," says Rubel, the author of "Bread: A Global History." 

"It doesn't need to be made with any particular kind of flour," he added to CNN.

Instead, he likes to focus on what bread does: It turns staple grains such as wheat, rye or corn into durable foods that can be carried into the fields, used to feed an army or stored for winter. 

Roti gambang. Image: CNN
Roti gambang. Image: CNN

Even before the first agricultural societies formed around 10,000 B.C., hunter-gatherers in Jordan's Black Desert made bread with tubers and domesticated grain. 

Today, the descendants of those early breads showcase the remarkable breadth of our world's food traditions. 

Two Southeast Asia’s favourite delicacies roti gambang from Indonesia and roti canai from Malaysia made to the list.

 “Palm sugar and cinnamon lend a light, aromatic sweetness to roti gambang, a tender wheat bread that's an old-fashioned favorite at Jakarta bakeries,” the report described.

CNN noted that the recipe may be influenced by the Dutch spiced holiday cookies that was adapted to local tastes. 

Meanwhile, roti canai may have arrived in Malaysia with Indian immigrants, but the country's made the flaky, rich bread their own. 

“When cooked on a hot griddle, roti canai puffs into a stack of overlapping layers rich with buttery flavor. Irresistible when served with Malaysian dips and curries”

Khachapuri, Georgia. Image: CNN
Khachapuri, Georgia. Image: CNN

Here are 50 of the world's most wonderful breads In alphabetical order by location:

  1. Bolani, Afghanistan
  2. Lavash, Armenia
  3. Damper bread, Australia
  4. Luchi, Bangladesh
  5. Pão de queijo, Brazil
  6. Montreal bagels, Canada
  7. Marraqueta, Chile
  8. Shaobing, China
  9. Pan Cubano, Cuba
  10. Libba, Egypt
  11. Pupusas, El Salvador
  12. Injera, Ethiopia
  13. Baguette, France
  14. Khachapuri, Georgia
  15. Pumpernickel, Germany
  16. Pai bao, Hong Kong
  17. Dökkt rúgbrauð, Iceland
  18. Paratha, India
  19. Roti gambang, Indonesia
  20. Sangak, Iran
  21. Soda bread, Ireland
  22. Challah, Israel
  23. Ciabatta, Italy
  24. Bammy bread, Jamaica
  25. Kare pan, Japan
  26. Taboon bread, Jordan
  27. Roti canai, Malaysia
  28. Ħobż tal-Malti, Malta
  29. Tortillas, Mexico
  30. Khobz kesra, Morocco
  31. Fry bread, Navajo Nation
  32. Tijgerbrood, Netherlands
  33. Rēwena parāoa, New Zealand
  34. Lefse, Norway
  35. Podplomyk, Poland
  36. Broa de milho, Portugal
  37. Karavai, Russia
  38. Pane carasau, Sardinia
  39. Proja, Serbia
  40. Gyeran-ppang, South Korea
  41. Appam, Sri Lanka
  42. Kisra, Sudan and South Sudan
  43. Limpa bread, Sweden
  44. Balep korkun, Tibet
  45. Simit, Turkey
  46. Crumpets, United Kingdom
  47. Biscuits, United States
  48. Non, Uzbekistan
  49. Arepa, Venezuela
  50. Malawach, Yemen

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