Part 3/9:
This simple flatbread would have served as a dietary staple for the majority of the population, but it’s critical to note that ancient Egyptian bread-making was diverse. There were more elaborate breads enriched with ingredients like milk, honey, eggs, and herbs—some symbolic of wealth and luxury found in tombs like King Tutankhamun’s.
Evidence shows that Egyptians crafted breads in various shapes and forms: from well-risen loaves to puffy semicircles, boiled shapes akin to bagels, and even whimsical forms resembling animals. Numerous prints and frescoes depict these intricacies, revealing that ancient Egyptians were unapologetic carbohydrate enthusiasts; in fact, there were at least 15 bread types during the Old Kingdom, growing to over 40 in the New Kingdom.