May Birth Bread
Birth Bread
Ciabatta
Ciabatta is a relatively new bread created in 1982 by baker Arnaldo Cavallari in Adria, Lombardy region of northern Italy. The name comes from the Italian word for 'slipper,' derived from its flat oval appearance. Interestingly, this bread was born as a product of chance. One day, a baker accidentally added too much water to the dough, creating a mixture with much higher water content than usual. However, this mistake resulted in bread with distinctive texture featuring large air pockets inside, which quickly spread throughout Italy. The surface is crispy and fragrant, while the interior has a chewy texture with wheat's umami and sweetness spreading in the mouth. Known as a very healthy bread since it doesn't use dairy products like butter or milk. In Italy, it's rarely eaten alone but commonly enjoyed dipped in olive oil, made into panini with cheese and ham, or paired with meals. The warm scene of families hand-tearing and sharing large ciabatta together is a common sight in Italian households. As bread possessing the gentle warmth of May sunshine and the inclusiveness to deepen family bonds, it's a fitting presence for Golden Week gatherings.
Features
- Simple ingredient composition using only flour, water, salt, and yeast
- Large internal air pockets and distinctive texture created by high water content
- Flat oval appearance affectionately nicknamed 'slipper' for its shape
- Healthy characteristics with low fat content due to no butter or milk usage
- Globally beloved presence spreading to Britain in 1985 and America in 1987
- Often used for panini with possibilities for diverse ingredient combinations
Personality
- Unpretentious simplicity with tolerant and gentle character accepting everyone
- Having origins from failure, teaches that value exists even without perfection
- Cherishes family bonds and finds deep joy in sharing
- Harmonious presence valuing coordination with others over independence
- Like having internal spaces, possesses inclusiveness to accept others' opinions and feelings
- Positive heart accepting destiny, beloved despite being a product of chance
Symbolic Meaning
- Family gatherings and deepening bonds, importance of shared joy
- Discovery of new value and possibilities born from failure and chance
- Simple, unpretentious beauty and respect for inner richness
- Acceptance of diversity and importance of harmony with different elements
- Expression of maternal love and inclusiveness, heart filled with gentleness
- Vitality of fresh green season and hope and possibilities for growth
Reason for Selection
- Representative bread for sharing suitable for Golden Week family gatherings
- Large internal air pockets express inclusiveness accepting each family member's individuality
- Possesses maternal gentleness and strength fitting for Mother's Day season
- Fresh feelings born in green May and miraculous story born from chance
- Deep flavor hidden beneath simple appearance encourages discovery of true value
- Eating method of hand-tearing and sharing shortens emotional distance and deepens bonds
Protection & Effects
- Grants power to deepen family bonds and build loving relationships
- Bestows courage to challenge new possibilities without fearing failure
- Nurtures tolerant heart and cultivates inclusiveness to accept diversity
- Provides insight to discern true beauty hidden in simplicity
- Enhances cooperation and nurtures heart that values harmony with others
- Deepens maternal affection and strengthens ability to give unconditional love
Trials & Growth
- Challenge to overcome weak individuality and develop courage for self-assertion
- Difficulty maintaining balance to avoid losing oneself by conforming too much to others
- Challenge to demonstrate presence by utilizing characteristics that are too simple to attract attention
- Growth accepting imperfection while not losing the drive for improvement
- Developing strength to not lose one's values while accepting diversity
- Trial to overcome origins as product of chance and build firm confidence