National French Bread Day

Today is National French Bread Day! French bread, also known as a baguette, is a crusty loaf baked in a long, thin shape. The French have been making long sticks of bread since at least the mid-eighteenth century, but the baguette didn’t become an iconic symbol of French cuisine until the twentieth century. A new law passed in 1920 banned workers from beginning their shift before 4am, which made it difficult for French bakers to have fresh bread ready for their customers in the morning. They turned to the fast-baking baguette for a solution, and soon it became a part of daily life.

While the baguette claims the title of “French bread,” France produces many other famous types of bread including: croissants, brioche, pain de campagne, batard, pain de mie, and fougasse. To celebrate National French Bread Day, buy or bake a delicious loaf of fresh French bread to share with your family!