Let it be a holiday, or a normal routine day when it comes to breakfast the first thought that strikes our mind is a slice of toasted bread with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Bread protrude to be one the most convenient and satisfying breakfasts of all time.
Excellently, bread can be combined with a lot of options. Let it be in the form of sandwiches, slathered with butter or jam, or simply grilled, it tastes best in any way. Nevertheless, there has been a wide range of bread available in the market, nowadays.
Bread is eaten worldwide for millennia. Simply prepared from dough made of flour, water, and salt, bread is now available in varieties. The bread has been enriched with extra micronutrientsto improve its nutritional value and avoid deficiencies. However, every bread shares its own delicious story. Moreover, among all the types, flatbreads are wide-reaching.
Flatbreads can be prepared by both unleavened as well as leavened dough. In addition, to enhance the taste and amplify the nutrients, other ingredients can also be added to the dough. Consider oat bread as an example. Blending oats within bread dough can offer you both the goodness of oats including antioxidants, fibers, and phosphorous, along with whole grains present in the bread.
Other than this, even a plain flatbread contains complex carbohydrates, which is a great source of energy. Moreover, a variety of flatbread is available in the market, with better quality and authentic taste of different regions. Every flat bread shares a different texture, and recipe. Some of these flat breads are enlisted below:
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Popular Types of Flatbreads Majorly Used All Across the World
Tortilla
Originated from Mesoamerica, tortilla has become one of the most famous flat bread. In Spanish “tortilla” means “small cake”. The oldest variety of tortillas were made of corn flour. However, now one can easily find a tortilla made with wheat flour.
Tortillas are best eaten with vegetables, spices, and flavors. Corn tortillas are mostly used for traditional Mexican dishes including tostadas, enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas. On the other hand, wheat flour tortillas are commonly used for burritos, quesadillas, and wraps.
Pita
Instigated from the Mediterranean, Middle East, and neighboring areas, Pita is also known as Arabic bread or Syrian bread. Pita is a leavened flatbread made with wheat flour.
Pitas are widely known for their interior pockets. These flatbreads are baked at high temperatures due to which the bread puffs up in the ovens and forms a pocket in the center after getting separated. These interior pockets are perfect for holding a variety of ingredients.
Naan
Naans is a type of fluffy bread that is mostly baked in western, central, and southern parts of Asia. These tandoor oven-baked flatbreads are now sold all over the world. Naan contains typical ingredients including wheat flour, water, salt, yeast, and milk or yogurt.
Mostly preferred with butter on top, naan can be eaten with dips such as types of curries. Moreover, sesame seeds and coriander leaves can also be added to enhance its taste. Naans are easily available in grocery stores and
supermarkets.
Chapati
Originated from India, chapati has become a staple food in countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, East Africa, and the Caribbean. Chapatis, often known as roti are mostly unleavened and contains basic ingredients including wheat, water, and salt. Chapatis are mild flatbread that pairs with many dishes in Indian, Pakistani, and Nepali countries.
Focaccia
Focaccia is an oven-baked Italian flatbread. It shares a comparable texture with pizza dough and typically has a round or square shape. It contains olive oil, salt, and herbs, and is mostly flavored with rosemary. However, it can also be flavored with sage or basil.
Focaccia can be paired with many meals and can be used as a pizza base. In
addition, these flatbreads can also be sandwiched with other food items.
Focaccia can be served with numerous toppings and stuffing; however, it is delicious when served straight out of the oven with tomatoes and cheese.
Bread is one of the food items that delight a majority of people. Flatbreads are mostly known to be the original ones when compared with yeast and quick bread. Moreover, the multi-grain variations in flatbreads are often attracting people.
On the other hand, diet plans and health awareness are urging the manufacturers to provide more varieties integrated with whole grains and cereals. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global flatbread market is expected to reach $62.8 supported by a CAGR of 6.2% between 2018 to 2026. The expansion in quick-service restaurants, rise in demand for convenience foods, and consumer preference towards frozen flatbread products are the key factors propelling the growth of the market. On the other hand, demands for sugar-free and gluten-free flat bread, and focus on improving quality and shelf life are expected to offer lucrative opportunities to the global market, in the coming years.
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