Swiss History And Conventions Converged Into A Simple Piece Of Bread

I was privileged enough to get a glance of Switzerland's rich history through its variety of bread, with each Swiss region boasting a unique local pastry. According to a local baker in a beautiful Swiss village, breads, particularly the Zopf, play a foremost role in several Swiss occasions, from religious holidays to a solemn funeral rite. The Zopf is a special bread loaf habitually served during Sunday breakfasts, and is used during funeral rites because of its opulent history.

It is said that a long time ago, widows used to snip a wisp of their braided hair to be buried with their dead husbands. As time went on, this belief was altered because widows started using a bread loaf with a similar braided shape, which is the Zopf, instead of pieces of hair.

The secret to keeping the Zopf's braided contour is in the manner the bread is molded and kneaded. The bread dough should be undeniably compact enough so that it doesn't break off when braided or twisted. A slice of Zopf is just right for a breakfast meal, especially with jam and butter to provide a sweet savor. The yummy Zopf is also part of the Sunday breakfast folkway in Switzerland, with the most important family member, such as the father or the mother, getting the first slice.