Hello Vegan Travelers,
Today’s topic will be bread. As you travel throughout the world, you will find many different kinds of breads. Some will be vegan. Some will not. Certain breads contain dairy, honey, or eggs. Of course, if you are dining at a vegan restaurant, there is no need to worry. There are several cultures which usually do not include bread as part of their meals. It is not popular in quite a few South American and Asian countries. However, where it is available during your world travels, I suggest you try the popular, ethnic breads with your meals. Now let us discuss several of these international breads.

France:
Baguette – This is a long, narrow loaf bread with a crispy crust. The bread ingredients are vegan. However, it is typically brushed with an egg yolk mixture on top. Vegans needs to ask the chef if this is the case. Otherwise, assume this is the case.

Italy:
Italian Bread – This is also a crusty loaf bread, but it is thick in width.
Again, the ingredients are vegan. However, it is brushed with an egg mixture prior to baking. Vegans should ask the chef if the egg mixture can be omitted. Focaccia is a pizza bread which may be topped with cheese sometimes. There are vegan versions.

Greece:
Greek Bread(Horiatiko crusty country bread) – This is a crusty bread typically made containing milk and honey.

Ireland:
Irish Soda Bread – This round, raisin-filled bread contains butter, buttermilk, and eggs. It is not vegan.

Poland:
Babka – This round, Easter bread contains milk and eggs.
A chocolate version is popular.

Portugal:
Portuguese Sweet Bread – This sweet bread is made with milk, honey, and sometimes eggs. It is not vegan.

Portuguese Peasant Bread – This soft, dense, loaf bread is vegan.

Mexico:
Tortillas – This is a round, flatbread made from wheat or corn.
It may either be made with vegetable oil or lard. Vegan travelers to Mexico should ask their waiter which shortening is used there. It is served with rice and beans or filled with a vegetable mixture as a sandwich.

Israel:
Challah – This is a braided bread served on holidays or the sabbath. It contains eggs, thus is not vegan.

China:
Buns – Chinese steamed buns are popular dim sum choices. They are simply made with yeast and flour. Vegans can find them made with a vegetable filling.

Tibet:
Tingmo – These are spongy, steamed buns. They are vegan.

India:
Naan – This is an oven-baked flatbread. It is typically made with ghee(clarified butter) and yogurt. Vegans should ask the restaurant if their version can be made vegan.

Chapati – This is a flatbread served with curry dishes. It is made with vegetable oil and water. Some recipes do call for milk and butter instead. Vegans should ask the waiter in their restaurant of choice.

Parantha – This is also a flatbread made with milled, whole wheat flour. Various recipes call for either ghee or vegetable oil. Again, vegans need to ask the waiter at their dining establishment which shortening the chef uses there.

Mideast (Morocco/Egypt):
Pita Bread – This is a thin, flatbread eaten with hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, and various other condiments. Made with simple ingredients such as yeast and flour, it is vegan.

Ethiopia:
Injera – This large, round, thin, spongy bread is used for stews to be placed upon it. The diners then use pieces of injera to scoop up the stew. It is made of Ethiopian teff flour and is vegan.

Trinidad and Tobago :
Roti – Roti is an Indian puffy bread used to make Doubles sandwiches with a chickpea filling. It is made with yeast, flour, cumin, and curry and is vegan.