Written by Jean

　　Bread makes an appearance on just about every Western menu. There are so many different kinds of bread, that sometimes, just choosing the bread to accompany your main meal can be an arduous task. If you are overseas, it is useful to know the different kinds of breads and the proper ways to eat them.

　　Basically, there are 3 kinds of bread:

　　(1)Yeast bread

　　Yeast breads are recognizable by the tiny air pockets all through them. The yeast in the dough causes the bread to rise during baking – giving it that “loaf” look. Pan breads such as raisin bread and whole-wheat bread are considered to be yeast breads. Pizza bases and hamburger buns are also yeast breads.

　　(2)Quick bread

　　Quick bread takes less time to prepare than yeast bread. These breads also rise during baking, but this is caused by baking powder instead of yeast. Examples of quick breads are corn bread, doughnuts, muffins and pancakes.

　　(3)Flat bread

　　This kind of bread is appropriately named as its appearance is indeed flat. Flat breads include tortillas (Mexican), chapatti (Indian) and pita bread (Middle Eastern). They usually have an empty center in them for fillings and sauces.

　　The Proper Way to Eat Bread

　　In a proper Western restaurant, the bread plate is always on your left with your butter knife on it. When eating bread, you should break the bread into small sizes. It is rude to cut your bread or bite from it. You should spread butter only on the piece of bread you are about to eat (not on all the bread on your plate). It is okay if breadcrumbs drop on your plate or the table. The waiter will clear them away for you.

　　yeast n. 酵母

　　baking powder 发酵粉

　　instead of 代替

　　muffin n. 松饼

　　tortilla n. 玉米粉圆饼

　　chapatti n. 薄煎饼

　　pita bread 皮塔饼

　　breadcrumb n. 面包屑