New Delhi: The French baguette, the country’s staple bread, has been given the world heritage status by UNESCO. The much meme-able, socio-cultural symbol has been granted the “intangible cultural heritage status” with the aim of shedding light on the tradition of baguette-making and the lifestyle that surrounds it.
Radio France Internationale reported that France submitted its request to UNESCO in early 2021, with the baguettes chosen over the zinc roofs of Paris and a wine festival in Arbois.
UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said: “The baguette is a daily ritual, a structuring element of the meal, synonymous with sharing and conviviality.”
The long baton shaped bread has a culinary history that dates back to 1770 in Paris, when long breads with slashes weighing four and six livres supplanted round breads. Despite being a seemingly indestructible part of French culture, the baguette wasn’t given its name until a new regulation defining its minimum weight (80 grams) and maximum length (40 centimetres) was passed in 1920.
The baguette didn’t have the most humble origin story. Since it was considered a luxury product, the working classes chose rustic loaves as they lasted longer. But in the early 20th century, one could spot the baguette in Parisian bistros, being sold as as “wine-seller bread”. In the 60s and 70s, the baguette raided households and was a huge hit in the countryside. More so, with the trend of white bread, the use of the first mechanical production methods altered the baguette’s texture and taste.
The once considered luxury item is now a culinary symbol of French cuisine. The UNESCO status now recognises bakers from every part of the country for their craft. So doff your hat when you spot a baguette at a corner boulangerie — perfect for a soup or summer sandwich with its crunchy crust and fluffy interior!
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