HISTORY OF

BAKING: From
Ancient Egyptians
to Today
Prepared by: Maria Merllan Estrellante Mier
HISTORY OF BAKING: From
Ancient Egyptians to Today
From bread and pie to pastries and
cakes, baking has a long history that has
satisfied the hunger of countless people
from worldwide civilizations for
thousands of years. The next time you
bake a culinary masterpiece—or simply
pop a frozen pizza in the oven—think of
this history of baking.
ANCIENT BAKING
 The oldest known ovens were unearthed in Croatia
in 2014. They are estimated to be 6,500 years old.
The Egyptians were also pioneers in baking as the
first recorded civilization to use yeast in their bread
as long ago as 2600 BC.
 Then, there was the Roman Empire’s Baker’s Guild
established around 168 BC. This organization, called
the Pistorum, recognized bread bakers as skilled
artisans. In fact, baking was held in such high
regard that a festival was held once a year to
celebrate Fornax, the oven goddess.
Baking in the Middle Ages
 During the Medieval period, ovens weren’t a
standard fixture in any home. Those who could
afford wood-burning stoves (and the fuel to heat
them) baked bread. The ability to produce high-
quality bread helped people climb higher up the
social ladder.
 In the Middle Ages, wheat bread was reserved for
wealthy people. Dense, rich cakes in exotic colors
were only available to the highest echelons of
society. Poor people stuck with rye and black bread
and, if they could afford it, meat pies.
15th–17th Century Baking
 The introduction of saffron and other expensive spices helped
baking take off in Britain in the 15th century. Sweetened
dough buns, mincemeat pies, and gingerbread all entered
the scene at this point in the history of baking.
 Economic growth and globalization in the 16th and 17th
centuries led to more decadent treats with butter, cream,
and raisins. Baking became more accessible to the average
person at this time, so families started to bake cakes and
biscuits together. Late in the 17th century, the price of
sugar went down, and refined flour became available,
bringing desserts to the forefront, including pastries, pies,
and iced cakes.
18th–19th Century Baking
The Industrial Revolution marked a turning
point for the accessibility of cake-making in
the average home—not only because of
changes in taste and the availability of
ingredients, but because of evolution in
technology. The development of the semi-
closed oven and the publishing of The Art of
Cookery in 1747 provided budding chefs
with the tools and ideas they needed to try
an array of cake recipes.
18th–19th Century Baking
As more women became employed in the
19th century, they had less time to devote to
elaborate food preparation. As a result,
convenience food grew in popularity, which
cut down on the time women had to spend
in the kitchen. Also introduced in this
century, baking powder transformed the
dense, yeast-based cakes of centuries past
into the light, fluffy baked goods we know
today.
Modern Baking
Today, baking plays an integral role in
modern life. Whether you enjoy baking from
scratch or you like the convenience of
purchasing premade food you can throw in
the oven, there’s no arguing that flour is one
of the most important features of our diet. It
takes on countless forms, from traditional
sugar cookies to easy frozen pizza to
homemade wheat rolls.
HISTORY OF
BAKING IN THE
PHILIPPINES
BAKING IN THE PHILIPPINES
 Have you wondered how the art of baking began,
and spread its reach across the Philippines?
 Baking, in itself, goes back at least a thousand years.
The use of enclosed ovens, to produce bread and
pastry, was probably introduced by European
explorers and colonizers.
 Pies, and cakes, were prevalent in Europe during
the 17th century, and as the continent spread its
reach across the seas, they brought the art of
baking along with it.
Philippine Baking Influences from
Around the World
 Baking in the Philippines goes back to at least a
thousand years ago. Pies, and cakes, were prevalent
in Europe during the 17th century. And, as the
continent spread its reach across the seas, it
brought the art of baking along with it.
 One school of thought is that Spanish missionaries
introduced baking to the country. Wheat was often
used in food, by missionaries, who introduced the
diet, as well as the preparation and process to the
locals.
Philippine Baking Influences from
Around the World
Dominican friars circa 1875, spreading
religion and recipes to the locals
On the other hand, as early as 618 AD,
China was already making “moon cakes”
and the early settlers and traders who
landed on Philippine shores, also
inevitably shared this unique process of
using dry heat to make bread and other
desserts.
Philippine Baking Influences from
Around the World
However, let us not forget the contribution of
our Malay ancestors, who introduced sticky
rice cakes and layer cakes. One can argue
that the Malay’s knowledge of baking was still
derived from their Dutch colonizers, but the
ingenuity in the use of local ingredients such
as rice, corn and coconut, as well as making
do with clay pots and wooden steamers,
created something totally original.
The History of the Baking Oven in the
Philippines
 Evidence of the most ancient oven in the world
dates back to over six millennia ago. According
to Wikipedia.com, it was discovered in Croatia.
Before this, ancient bakers used flat, hot stones
to make bread. The ancient Greeks lead the
pack when it came to the practice of baking
bread. It is believed that this began in 600 BC.
In the days of the Roman empire, being a
pastry chef was a top profession. Today pastry
chefs the world over enjoy celebrity status.
The History of the Baking Oven in the
Philippines
 The use of ovens in the Philippines all started with
the humble pot oven or palayok. This is still in use
today day. Filipinos baked their creations in the
palayok over charcoal. It was set on top of a hibachi,
a Japanese grill. It may come as a surprise, but the
hibachi was first used in Ancient Japan.
 With the advent of electricity in the 1800s came
the use of industrial ovens. Today, we enjoy the
convenience of a wide range of ovens. These are
powered by gas, electricity, conduction, and
convection. Other types are the microwave, toaster,
roaster, and even self-cleaning ovens.
The History of Cake in the Philippines
The history of cake in the Philippines starts
with our Malay ancestors. They introduced
sticky rice cakes and layer cakes. One can
argue that the Malay’s knowledge of baking
stems from their Dutch colonizers. But, we
can thank the Malays for their ingenuous use
of local ingredients. These include rice, corn
and coconut. They also taught us how to
make do with clay pots and wooden steamers
to create original baked goods.
The History of Cake in the Philippines

But, the history of bread and pastry in

the Philippines began with European
explorers and colonizers. They
introduced enclosed ovens to the locals.
And, when the Americans came to our
shores, they introduced the use of flour
and the technology needed to mill it.
The Role of Baking in the
Filipino Lifestyle
• Like other aspects of Filipino life, different cultures
comprise our history as a baking country. It has
become part and partial of growing up Filipino.

• Food items such as Ensaymada, Sapin-sapin, Leche

Flan and Biko were integral to one’s childhood.
Having baked goods at home became a common
thing. Breakfast would consist of Tasty Bread, and
Puto or Mamon would be there during merienda.
The Role of Baking in the
Filipino Lifestyle
• The importance of baked goods in
Philippine tradition is undeniable. With
so many foreign influences that made
their mark in how baking developed in
the Philippines, there is no definitive
answer really, to how it all began.
What we do know, is the importance
of this wonderfully delicious art, and
how it has since been vital in every
Filipino’s life.
 THANK YOU ! 
-ma’am Lyn