Tag: Focaccia

Bread is not just a side dish but a centerpiece of Mediterranean dining, with evidence of flatbreads being made in the region as early as 14,500 years ago. The varieties enjoyed across the Mediterranean are incredibly diverse, shaped by unique regional climates, ingredients, and culinary traditions. From the fluffy pocketed pitas of the Levant to the oil-rich focaccias of Italy, bread is a staple used for scooping, dipping, and savoring the bold flavors of the cuisine.

Bread has been a staple in Mediterranean cuisine for millennia, with archaeological evidence in modern-day Jordan dating flatbread to over 14,000 years ago. Today, the region's diverse cultures enjoy a wide variety of baked goods, but what bread do they eat in the Mediterranean exactly? The answer is a delicious and varied reflection of local traditions and ingredients.

While many assume all bread is vegan, the truth is more complex. The good news is that many classic types of Italian bread are naturally vegan friendly, but knowing which ones and what ingredients to watch for is essential for anyone following a plant-based diet.

Most traditional Italian bread is made with just four basic ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt, which are naturally dairy-free. This means that many classic varieties are safe for a dairy-free diet, but a careful approach is necessary, as many commercial and specialty versions add dairy products for texture and flavor.

A standard 100-gram serving of Italian flatbread can contain anywhere from 260 to over 350 calories, depending heavily on the type, ingredients, and preparation method. Understanding how many calories are in an Italian flatbread requires a closer look at popular varieties like focaccia and piadina.