Coppia ferrarese facts for kids
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| Type | Bread |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Ferrara |
| Main ingredients | flour, lard, malt, olive oil |
Coppia ferrarese is a special kind of sourdough bread from Italy. It is also known as ciopa or ciupeta. This bread has a unique twisted shape. It is made using flour, lard, malt, and olive oil.
People first started making this bread around the 1200s in a city called Ferrara, Italy. Today, it has a special status called PGI. This means its name and quality are protected by European law. This status was given in 2001.
A Look Back in Time
The history of special bread rules in Ferrara goes back a long way. The first records of these rules are from 1287. This shows how important bread was to the city.
The first time a bread like Coppia ferrarese was mentioned was in 1536. A writer named Cristoforo da Messisbugo wrote about it. He said that a duke was served a "pane ritorto," which means "twisted bread." This happened during a big celebration called the Carnival.
The tradition of making this twisted bread continued for many centuries. It stayed popular right up until Italy became one united country. In 2001, the recipe for Coppia ferrarese received its special PGI status. This helps make sure the bread is always made in the traditional way in Ferrara.
How It's Made
Making Coppia ferrarese involves specific ingredients and steps.
- The main ingredients are soft wheat flour, water, pure pork lard, and extra virgin olive oil.
- It also uses "mother" natural yeast, salt, and malt.
To make the dough:
- All the ingredients are mixed together.
- They are mixed for about 15 to 20 minutes until a good dough forms.
- The dough is then shaped into a long cylinder.
- This cylinder is cut into strips.
- These strips are then twisted to create the bread's famous shape.
After shaping:
- The twisted bread pieces are placed on a wooden board.
- They are covered and put into a special room to rise.
- This rising process takes about 70 to 90 minutes.
- Finally, the bread is baked in special ovens.
- Each finished bread usually weighs between 80 and 250 grams.
To keep its special status, the bread must follow certain rules. For example, it must not have too much moisture. It also needs to be sold within 24 hours of being baked. This ensures it is always fresh and delicious.
Why It's Important to Ferrara
Coppia ferrarese is a very important part of the culture in Ferrara. People in the city are very proud of it. Some even say it's one of the two most important foods from Ferrara. The other is a special type of salami.
In 2008, a filmmaker named Folco Quilici shared a story. He said that his family would quickly start talking about this bread with anyone they met. This shows how much it means to the people of Ferrara.
A famous writer, Riccardo Bacchelli, even called it "the best bread in the world." He wrote this in his book Il mulino del Po. Another writer, Corrado Govoni, wrote a beautiful poem about it. He called it "Our Bread: pride of us from Ferrara." He also said it was a "Generous gift of Ferrara to the world." These words show how much the bread is loved and valued in its home city.
See also
In Spanish: Coppia ferrarese para niños
