Bread and butter

Bread and butter refers to a basic food item, bread, spread with butter, which is a dairy product. It is a staple food in many cultures worldwide and has a significant role in culinary traditions.

History

The history of bread dates back to the Neolithic era, around 10,000 BC, when the first grinding stone, called a quern, was invented. The first bread produced was probably cooked versions of a grain-paste, made from ground grain and water, and started to be spread with butter in the 15th century in Europe.

Bread

Bread is a staple food prepared from a dough of flour and water, usually by baking. Throughout recorded history, it has been a prominent food in large parts of the world and is one of the oldest man-made foods. Bread can be served in various forms with any meal of the day, eaten as a snack, and is used as an ingredient in other culinary preparations.

Butter

Butter is a dairy product made from the fat and protein components of milk or cream. It is a semi-solid emulsion at room temperature, consisting of approximately 80% butterfat. It is used at room temperature as a spread, melted as a condiment, and used in cooking applications.

Cultural significance

"Bread and butter" is also an English idiom. It represents the basic, sustaining, or fundamental elements; work, duties, or responsibilities that are the mainstay of one's livelihood or that form the central or crucial part of something.

Health and nutrition

Bread provides carbohydrates and is a source of dietary fiber. Depending on the type of bread, it can also provide significant amounts of vitamins and minerals. Butter, on the other hand, is a good source of fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids.

See also

• List of breads
• List of dairy products
• List of spreads