A baker tells: So he bakes the bread of Jesus new!

A baker tells: So he bakes the bread of Jesus new!

bread is much more than just a staple. In the small town of Endingen on the Kaiserstuhl, master baker Matthias Schwehr not only deepened into the art of bread baking, but also trained as a bread sommelier. With great passion he bakes flatbreads, which are prepared according to the recipes, how they were enjoyed at the time of Jesus. "I never thought what a small baker from the country can achieve with bread," he describes his experiences.

Schehr's special creation, the "bread of Christ", gave him awareness beyond the 9,000-inhabitant location. This flatbread consists of water, flour and salt and is a tribute to the bread culture of the ancient Middle East. Extensive research that led him to various historical institutions gave him an insight into the baking traditions of past times. The Bible, which talks about bread in many places, was a valuable source of information for him. This ensures a deeper connection between the food and religious traditions.

The importance of bread in history

Indeed, the symbolism of the bread extends far beyond mere food. For people in the old Orient, bread was not only a basis for life, but also a means of a spiritual connection. At the Thanksgiving Festival, for example, which will be celebrated on October 6, is often an artistically decorated bread loaf on the altars of the churches. On this day, the believers thank you for the gifts of nature and emphasize the importance of sharing and responsibility in dealing with food.

The special meaning of the bread is also evident in the Christian tradition, where this food plays a central role in the last sacrament. Jesus identifies the bread as his body that is sacrificed for humanity. This deep understanding of bread as a food and a spiritual symbol is also one of the aspects that I want to emphasize with his craft.

Matthias Schwehr not only brings the recipes to the table, but also the history of bread. Its flatbread has a central hole that not only serves as a decorative element, but also has practical backgrounds. When preparing, the baker removes dough to hand over a "Challa" as a thank you to the priest. This tradition has been kept to this day, and Schwehr shares his knowledge of various lectures and tastings.

The variety of German bread

In Germany, over 3,000 different types of bread are produced, and the diversity has even found international recognition. In 2014, the German bread culture was included in the nationwide list of the intangible cultural heritage of the National UNESCO Commission. Bernd Kütscher, director of the German bakery trade academy, emphasizes how important it is to take into account the different tastes and preparations. "A pretzel tastes different in Swabia than in Bavaria," he explains.

The training as a bread sommelier, which Kütscher launched in 2015, has now produced over 258 graduates in 13 countries. During this further training, the master bakers not only learn the craftsmanship of bread baking, but also how they can describe the diverse tastes and textures of bread in words. "There were no clear terms to express the taste and consistency of bread," said Kütscher. Developing this missing "bread language" is an essential part of the training.

In the end, it is about helping the bread to help again. "Bread is more than just a food. It was and is a decisive factor in human history, especially with regard to nutritional certainty," summarizes Kütscher. At a time when the focus is often on fast solutions, Schwehr would like to commemorate the traditional craft and the deeper meaning of the bread that has survived generations.