03/07/2023
What IS Irish Soda Bread? Why was it invented? Where did it come from? And how has it lasted this long as a common recipe?
Irish Soda Bread has an old and rich history as a staple food throughout Ireland that many people outside of Ireland have forgotten about and what it’s purpose is. Starting in the late 1800’s it was discovered that this bread was first being made by Native Americans (though not entirely the same recipes), they would use ash from a specific tree to act as a replacement for leavening their breads. However it was much later that the people of Ireland started making this easy yet tasty treat that would soon skyrocket to be a common food in every household. The original Irish recipe was created after baking soda was first introduced to the country. With the countries climate and weather, it was rather difficult for them to grow hard wheat (high gluten content plants yield the All Purpose Flour we use today) but was perfect for them to grow “soft” wheat (smaller crop with a much lower gluten content that is normally used for bread flour and cake flour) and when combined with baking soda, salt, and a sour milk (today most use buttermilk) they would form their dough, cut it into quarters, inscribe a cross on the top (believed to help release fae folk and ward off negative spirits) and then toss their creations into a 3 legged cast iron pot over a subtle household cooking fire. This bread has seen it all. It’s been a treat during the good times and a blessing during the dark times. Simple and easy made, they mainly use this bread to go with the main course of their meals. Either slathering it up warm with some delicious Irish Cream Butter, breaking it in pieces to help mop up stews, or a nice compliment alongside a cup of tea, every family in Ireland today have their own variation of the original and some have included add ins such as nuts, herbs, honey (like us but mixed with the refreshing chill of mint) and is nowadays baked during the days leading to St Patrick’s Day, as a symbol of the dark times they trudged through before St Patrick came from Wales to spread Christianity to the Celtics. Almost completely universal in uses, this tasty staple now roams all over the world being enjoyed by people of all lifestyles, cultures, and walks of life. Stop by the page and order yourself a delicious, rich, and culturally/historically loved favorite! These babies last until St Patrick’s Day on March 17th!!
You know you deserve it!!!
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