There are lots of traditions surrounding Irish Soda Bread. Soda Bread was first made in the mid 1800's, when bicarbonate of soda became available as a leavening agent. Our Irish Soda Bread is prepared as a small round loaf with raisins and a deep cut cross in the top.
Many people believe that the cross was cut in the bread to ward off evil or to let the fairies out of the bread. Unfortunately, as much as we love a good myth, the truth is far less interesting. The cross is cut to help with the cooking of the bread by allowing air circulation so that the bread rises better.
In addition to the Irish variety, Soda bread is popular in Serbia, where is is prepared at Christmas time. A coin is often put into the dough during the kneading; other small objects may also be inserted. At the beginning of Christmas dinner, the česnica is rotated three times counter-clockwise, before being broken among the family members. The person who finds the coin in his piece of the bread will supposedly be exceptionally lucky in the coming year.
Irish Soda Bread is available today and will continue to be available in March. We recommend you call ahead and reserve a loaf or two. We can never seem to make enough of this tasty treat. And once you've toasted it and slathered it with butter, you'll know why!
We hope to see you soon! Your friends at the Great Harvest in Columbia.
