#8 What is French toast?
French toast started with the idea that it would be a waste! 
What is "French toast"?
French toast is a dessert made with eggs and milk, which is then soaked in egg liquid, baked, and topped with plenty of butter and honey!
Are you a breakfast person or a snack person?
Have you ever wondered why "French toast" is called French even though it's an English word ?
Well, maybe there are many people who think that they have never thought about that?
Well, okay.
You'll probably end up craving French toast...
Let's take a look at French toast from around the world.
The term "French toast" originated in America.
There are various theories about the origin of the name...
One theory is that it was named after an 18th century American liquor store owner named Joseph French.
-Originally, there was a menu item in America called "German toast."
However, there is a theory that the name was changed from "German" to "French" out of necessity because America and Germany were enemies during World War I.
These two theories seem to be the most plausible.
There are many different names for it around the world.
Canada = Pain d'or (Golden Bread)
France = Pain perdu (lost bread)
Netherlands = Gewonnen brood (the best bread)
UK = Butter and bread pudding
There are also some recipes that are a little different from French toast.
for example…
In Spain, there is Torrija, a type of deep-fried French toast, and in Turkey, there is kizartma ekmek, a type of roast bread made only with eggs and deep-fried.
French toast
When you think of French toast, you probably imagine a sweet and delicious dessert often found in coffee shops. In Japan, it's a fairly popular dessert and can be found at convenience stores, supermarkets, and even your local bakery.
Bread itself has been a sacred object in French history.
This is why the French people's attention to bread is immeasurable.
French toast is made by processing stale bread with hard-boiled eggs and milk.
I think there are many people in Japan who simply use sliced bread.
French toast is made using baguettes and brioche.
As the name Pain perdu (lost bread) suggests, for the French, French toast is the last resort to enjoy every last bit of bread without leaving any leftovers.
It is said that the name comes from the fact that it is made from bread that has become hard and lost its original flavor.
Bonjour! This may be a bit sudden, but do you like bread?
Of course. I eat it every day.
I see. It seems like a lot of people in Japan eat bread on a daily basis.
Yes, but I also eat a lot of rice.
That's good. Do you have any other concerns?
Is it something you're particular about? Hmm... I like hard bread.
I see. The most popular bread in Japan is white bread, right?
Indeed, there are many soft breads such as sliced bread and rolls.
That's right. For a French person who loves hard bread, Japanese bread is
It's not enough.
Oh... but there is some delicious Japanese bread too.
Well, yes, there is. But French bread is the pride of France,
You definitely have strong preferences.
I see. I guess it's what we call rice in Japan.
I'm sure you all have some preferences when it comes to the type of rice you eat and how you cook it, right?
It's the same thing!
There is a wide variety of bread in France.
Let's take a look at some!
Pain de campagne (country bread)
The most distinctive feature of this bread is that it is round and shaped like a rugby ball.
And there is the rustic bread, made in large pieces using rye and unrefined wheat flour.
Baguette
Baguettes are often called French bread in Japan, and are a type of bread that everyone knows.
Although baguettes are generally categorized as such, there are countless varieties, including those made with sesame seeds, those mixed with charcoal, and those made with several different grains.
Petit pain (small bread)
They are often used as aperitifs, for sandwiches in lunch boxes, as snacks or breakfast for small children.
It is also one of the breads you often see in restaurants.
The birth of sweet French toast
In Japan...
French toast became popular in the 1970s!
Apparently, French toast became popular throughout Japan after it appeared in a scene in the movie "Kramer."
Another reason for its popularity is that stale bread could be reused and eaten deliciously by soaking it in a mixture of eggs and milk and baking it.
In France...
Around the end of the 4th century or the beginning of the 5th century, a dish made by soaking bread in milk was described in the cookbook "Apicius," and this is thought to be the origin of French toast. It seems that cooking methods similar to French toast existed in medieval Europe, in 14th century Germany and 15th century Italy.
The French term "pain perdu" is said to have originated around the 14th century.
At that time, French toast was a simple dish made by soaking bread in milk and then frying or baking it.
French toast was originally created in an era when food was scarce, as a way to eat every last bit of bread, even if it had gone hard. Over time, French toast has evolved from a food ingredient needed for survival to a delicious sweet snack.
One theory is that it was a favorite of Henry IV, who was King of France from 1589 to 1610.
Delicious French Toast Recipe
【 material 】
・4 slices of bread・2 eggs・1 tablespoon of sugar or 1 teaspoon of cheese and salt
・Milk : 100ml
【 How to make 】
1. Make egg mixture by adding eggs, milk, sugar and/or salt.
2. Dip the bread in the egg mixture.
3. Once the bread has absorbed the egg mixture, add butter to a frying pan and bake. 4. *If the egg mixture contains salt, sprinkle cheese on top to taste.
*If the egg mixture contains sugar, add jam or honey to taste.
Of course, you can make it Tatin-style using baked apples, or make it a hot sandwich-style by filling it with ham and vegetables.
The possibilities for French toast are endless!
