Ancient Baking Culture In The Land of The World's Oldest Bread

Feb 7 2024 • 12 mins

In this episode of "Going Places," I'm sharing a very special story I wrote for Conde Nast Traveler this summer called In the Land of the World's Oldest Bread, A Return to an Ancient Baking Culture.

We'll journey together to the heart of Jordan, where baking is not just about sustenance but a profound cultural legacy. Join me as we explore how bread is intricately woven into the fabric of Jordan's community life, from traditional dishes gracing UNESCO's heritage list to the philosophy of Al Barakah that binds individuals to each other and the land. We'll also look at the challenges local wheat varieties face and the passionate efforts of people looking to revive Jordan's connection to its ancestral crops. So, come along on this journey as we explore a story of history, community, and the enduring spirit of Jordan through its breadmaking.

This episode and the entire season is brought to you by Visit Jordan. Be sure to visit myjordanjourney.com to learn more about Jordan.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Journey to Jordan to explore its bread-making culture
Description of arboud’s simple ingredients and baking process
Jordan’s history as part of the Fertile Crescent and its agricultural significance
Discovery of the world's oldest known bread in Jordan’s Black Desert
Impact of this discovery on understanding human history regarding baking and farming
Description of Jordan's native baladi wheat and its influence on culinary traditions
Various traditional Jordanian dishes that incorporate bread
The shift from local baladi wheat farming to imported refined flour in the 1970s
Efforts by Al Barakeh Wheat Collective to restore Jordanians' connection to native wheat
Other organizations' efforts to revive ancient wheat and traditional recipes
The concept of Al Barakeh and its cultural importance in Jordan