Unique Holidays: April 1st, 2022

Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: April 1st, 2022. I think I will celebrate National Sourghdough Bread and make me an Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich with Chedder Cheese Melted and Warmed with Mayonnaise. Would you like a sandwich as well?

National Soylent Green Day

Soylent Green is the original “people” food for the masses. The Soylent Green Biscuit Co’s famous snack has been a cult classic since its inception in 1973. People everywhere were delighted to have this affordable snack that “tastes just like grandmas.”

Five Finds about Soylent Green

• Soylent Green, introduced in 1966, is usually considered the original “green” food.
• Soylent Green was first marketed as a “Miracle food of high-energy Plankton gathered from the Oceans of the world.”
• Throughout the years the company has adopted many slogans:
  • “Food for the people, by the people.”
  • “Make room, make room for green.”
• You can find many recipes for homemade Soylent Green.
• It is said that Charlton Heston was this snack’s #1 fan, keeping mass quantities in his home.
• The Soylent Green Biscuit Co. is planning on world distribution by 2022.

National Sourdough Bread Day

Five food finds about Sourdough Bread:

• The liquid Alcohol layer referred to as ‘hooch’ comes from a Native American tribe called Hoochinoo who used to trade supplies with Alaskan Gold Miners for the ‘hooch’ off the top of their Sourdough starters.
• Barm is the English term for Sourdough starter and it is derived from the term ‘barmy’ which means tipsy, or ditzy. Because of the Alcohol!
• Sourdough likely originated in Ancient Egyptian times around 1500 BC and was likely the first form of leavening available to Bakers.
• Baker’s Yeast is not useful as Sourdough starter for leavening Rye Bread, as Rye does not contain enough Gluten.
• Most bread is leavened with Yeast, but Sourdough is leavened with the Lactobacillus Bacterium.

National Sourdough Bread Day is a annual Holiday celebrated on April 1st to honor the long history of Sourdough Bread-making. The crusty loaf, with a chewy bite and sharp acidulated tang, is considered to be one of the most unique tasting breads available.

Did you know French Bakers were responsible for introducing the fermentation process that gives Sourghdough Bread its distinct sour taste in North America? The process of making Sourdough Bread was first imported into Northern California during the Gold Rush before spreading through the Country, following the success of the commercial production of a special Yeast for it after French Chemist and Microbiologist Louis Pasteur discovered the Microorganisms that cause fermentation and gives the bread its taste.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL SOURDOUGH BREAD DAY

Sourdough bread-making history can be traced back to the Gold Rush of the 1800s which brought an onrush of miners to California. Including their family members who were bakers from Countries around the world. Local lore attributed the Bread to Basque migrants from the Pyrenees who arrived in San Francisco during the Gold Rush.

Soughdough Bread is traditionally produced through the fermentation of the dough using Lactobacilli and Yeasts. In a typical production of Sourdough Bread, Lactobacilli outnumber Yeasts by a ratio of 100 to one and cause it to produce the acids that give the Bread its tartness.

This begins when an Ecosystem begins to form as Flour Mixes with water to make a starter dough. Enzymes in the Flour split starches into Sugars, and the Bacteria convert these Sugars into lactic and acetic acid as the dough begins to go down in pH level. Most Microorganisms die out at this point. Before Yeasts start to convert Sugars into Carbon Dioxide and Ethanol, which is often followed by gas bubbles and fruity fermentation smells that signal, it’s ready to be baked.

Sourdough is considered a traditional San Francisco Bread, and Sourghdough Bread is still a part of the State’s culture today. In fact, Sourghdough Breads deep-rooted history can be seen in the alias of San Francisco 49ers’ mascot nicknamed ‘Sourdough Sam.’

Sorughdough Bread was so common during the Gold Rush that the word ‘Sourdough’ became the alias for Gold prospectors and its popularity also remains today as it remains a staple on the menu of many of the State’s restaurants.

NATIONAL SOURDOUGH BREAD DAY ACTIVITIES

1. There’s no better way to celebrate National Sourdough Bread Day than to bake a loaf or two of Sourdough Bread. If you haven’t made Sourdough Bread and search for recipes. Then follow the baking instructions and prepare the bread. You may even combine recipes into one Sourdough Bread recipe.
2. If you’re convinced you’ve made the most unique Sourdough Bread, you will most likely want to share it with your family. We encourage you to observe National Sourdough Bread Day by donating your Bread to local food pantries.
3. Share your Homemade Sourdough Bread recipe with friends online and encourage people to try out the bread! Tag specific food platforms and Bakeries using #SourdoughBreadDay to post on Social Media to persuade them to seat Sourdough Bread.

5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT SOURDOUGH BREAD

1. Sourdough’s signature sour taste is a result of the fermentation of dough using Lactobacilli Bacteria and Yeast.
2. Sourdough is a low–Glycemic food that helps to keep blood sugar levels in control.
3. Sourdough Bread’s fermentation process means it requires no preservative to help its shelf life.
4. The Lactobacilli Bacteria that give Sourdough its sour taste is cousins to the Bacteria found in Yogurt and Cheese.
5. Microbiologists believe Lactobacilli Bacteria also help Sourdough Bread have a longer shelf life.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL SOURDOUGH BREAD DAY

1. National Sourdough Bread Day serves as a Holiday to enjoy the often-crusty Bread. We love the after-effect Sourdough Bread leaves in our mouths which is sweet and savory for sure!
2. We love the story of the origin of Sourdough bread and the practice of making Sourdough is as ancient as that of bread-making itself. Dating back more than 5,000 years Sourdoughs introduction into the culinary menu of the new world during the gold rush era in California also means Sourdough holds a significant place in our hearts. National Sourdough Bread Day reminds us of this History.
3. If there’s only one reason to give for why people love celebrating National Sourdough Bread Day, there’s no doubt that even the most delicious meals would make for a dull day in the kitchen if the recipe does not lend itself to experiments that bring fun into cooking. Sourdough Bread is fun to make because of its recipe and fermentation process.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates