Fresh out of the oven comes delicious news from across the pond – the French baguette has been granted UNESCO protection status. Over 200 endorsements were submitted for the UNESCO bid in an effort to preserve French culture, and the glorious baguette made the cut.
What does this mean for baguettes?
Since the 1970’s, France has been losing over 400 bakeries a year – especially in rural towns due to the rising costs of food. France has a long-standing connection to the French baguette going back a few hundred years. This newly granted status offers French bakers the opportunity to preserve the tradition and craftsmanship of bread making in France.
Who else received Heritage status?
The French baguette joins the ranks of many other newly appointed winners like the mansaf, traditional dish of mutton and rice from Jordan; Harissa, a pepper paste from Tunisia; and the knowledge of light rum masters in Cuba. Check out the full list of winners here.
Related: Is the Croissant Actually French? We Investigate
What does this mean for French bakers?
While having UNESCO protection status doesn’t necessarily provide tangible resources to foster the longevity of French bakeries, it does provide a framework. According to UNESCO, being apart of the cultural inscription means “recognizing the country’s heritage and importance of maintaining cultural diversity in the face of increasing globalization”.
In part, it’s about the knowledge shared and passed down through generations. Although, with over 6 billion baguettes consumed each year in France, we’re sure the French baguette will stand the test of time, status or not status.
Read more: Bread Baking for Beginners: How to Make the Perfect Sourdough Loaf