An Ordinary English Loaf

• The typical loaf of English bread can be either brown or white. The basic ingredients are simply flour (usually wheat flour), water, yeast and salt. The consistency is moderately thick, with a soft crust. A thicker form of brown bread, the granary loaf, contains some whole grains. Packaged loaves of bread sell well, although more and more British people are getting involved in baking, partly because of the perceived savings and improved quality and partly because of the popularity of media events such as the Great British Bake-Off.

A Variety of Loaves

• As with any other aspect of English cuisine, there are some variations in the typical loaf of bread. Loaves such as the bloomer and cottage loaf are mainly different in shape rather than in the type of bread they're made from. A cottage loaf is round and tall, with a bump on top almost like a second, smaller loaf, while a bloomer has a rounded top and tapering ends rather than square ones, like a very wide baguette. There are also regional variations. For instance, a small loaf or roll called a scuffler is a characteristic of the northeast, but rare elsewhere. A cob is a small round loaf, sometimes but not always crusty; the term originated in the Midlands but is now common across England.

Rolls and Buns

• English bread encompasses a wide range of rolls and buns. Scones were once a vital part of high tea, a light meal eaten in the late afternoon. A large, circular bun called a bap, often lightly dusted with flour, is usually used for sandwiches. As with other types of bread, there are many regional variations: a stottie cake, for instance, is a round loaf with a slight indentation in the top, typically found in the northeast of England.

New Seats at the Table

• Britain's diverse culture means that breads from around the world can be found on any given English table. Britain's first Indian restaurant was opened in London over 200 years ago, and Indian cuisine remains hugely popular, making flatbreads such as naan, chapatis and dosas British staples. In addition, European and stateside influences such as French baguettes, Italian ciabatta and American bagels can be found on store shelves all over England.