Graham cracker

Graham bread is a type of bread made from whole wheat flour named after Sylvester Graham, a 19th-century American Presbyterian minister and dietary reformer. Graham bread was created in an attempt to divert people away from refined white flour and towards more wholesome, whole grain foods.

History

Sylvester Graham was a strong advocate for dietary reform and believed that a vegetarian diet of simple, unprocessed foods were key to physical and moral health. He promoted the use of coarsely ground whole wheat flour, now known as graham flour, and the bread made from this flour came to be known as graham bread.

Preparation

Graham bread is made by combining graham flour with water, yeast, and sometimes additional ingredients like sweeteners or fats. The dough is then kneaded, allowed to rise, and baked. The resulting bread has a denser texture and stronger flavor compared to breads made from refined flours.

Nutrition

Graham bread is high in dietary fiber due to the use of whole wheat flour. It also contains more nutrients compared to white bread, as the whole grain includes the bran and germ of the wheat, which are rich in vitamins and minerals.

In Popular Culture

Graham bread, along with other foods made from graham flour, played a significant role in the 19th-century dietary reform movement and the development of the modern health food industry. It is often associated with the vegetarian and health food movements.

See Also

• Whole wheat bread
• Sylvester Graham
• Graham cracker
• Dietary reform movement