Pita Bread

About

Pita bread is a round flat bread that has derived from Eastern countries.

Information

Other names: Middle Eastern Flat Bread

Translations: Pitas maizītes, Pita duonos, Pita Paine, Pita kruh, Bánh mì pita, Chleb pita, Pitabrood, Pita रोटी, Пите, Πίτα, الخبز الخبز, 피타 빵, Pita chléb, Roti pita, 皮塔面包, Pa pita, Pita kruh, Pita chlieb, Pane pita, פיתה לחם, Pitabröd, Пита бреад, ピタパン, Pain pita, Pita Brot, Pitabrød, Pitabrød, Pan pita, Піте, Pitaleipää, Пита

Physical Description

Pita bread is yeast-leavened and baked in a very hot oven. Its two layers are almost separated during baking. A hollow centre forms, which can be split very easily to make a pocket. It can be opened at one end and filled for a sandwich or cut in half for two smaller sandwiches.

Colors: white

Tasting Notes

Food complements: Pita bread is eaten with any meal in middle eastern countries. it is used to dip food with, Not only for dips such as hummus or baba ghannough, But any dish is prepared in the household. it is also used in sandwiches where it is cut in half and filled with all kinds of fililngs such as falafel, Cheese sandwiches, Shawerma sandwiches or any other vegetables.

Substitutes: Any flat bread prepared simply with flour, Water, Yeast and salt.

Selecting and Buying

Choosing: Pita bread is best eaten when it is fresh, so choose the freshly baked ones. Pita bread is still eaten the next day, best if it is warmed up in a toaster oven or a toaster. Sometimes day old bread is warmed up on open flam using gas stoves. Middle Eastern kitchen has many recipes that use leftover pita bread by toasting or frying it, such as using fried pita chips with Fattoush salad, or used in Fattet Hummus which is made with chickpeas, tahini sauce and yogurt.

Preparation and Use

Pita bread is best eaten when it is fresh, so choose the freshly baked ones. Pita bread is still eaten the next day, best if it is warmed up in a toaster oven or a toaster. Sometimes day old bread is warmed up on open flam using gas stoves. Middle Eastern kitchen has many recipes that use leftover pita bread by toasting or frying it, such as using fried pita chips with Fattoush salad, or used in Fattet Hummus which is made with chickpeas, tahini sauce and yogurt.

Conserving and Storing

When buying fresh pita bread, you may store it in the freezer for few weeks and would still taste fresh once you take it out of the freezer. it is best when it is heated up, it would be as close as you can get it fresh.
You may store it on your kitchen counter for couple of days before it starts going bad.

Social/Political

History: Pita bread originated in Egypt and the Middle East centuries ago. It was introduced to the rest of the world by immigrant communities in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia.