Flatbread is a flat, thin, bread that is used as a staple food in many cultures. Pita is a soft, slightly leavened flatbread that is used in Mediterranean, Balkan and Middle Eastern cuisine. The key difference between pita and flatbread is that flatbreads are often unleavened whereas pita is slightly leavened. Therefore, yeast or another leavening agent is needed to make pita.
What is Flatbread?
Flatbreads are eaten as a staple food in many cultures; they are made with flour, salt, and water. The dough made from these ingredients is thoroughly flattened by rolling. Many flatbreads are made without any leavening agents such as yeast. However, some flatbreads such as pita are slightly leavened. Many optional ingredients and spices such as chili powder, pepper, and curry powder can also be used in flatbreads. Oil may be added as well. The thickness of flatbreads can range from one millimeter to a few millimeters. Flatbreads are used in cuisines all over the world. Flour-based foods such as pita, tortilla, roti, chapati, paratha, naan, etc. are all types of flat breads. Flatbreads can be eaten with sauces, dips, gravy or can be used as a sandwich.
What is Pita?
Pita, also known as Lebanese/Syrian or Arabic bread, is a soft slightly leavened flatbread baked from wheat flour. Pita bread is mainly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. The pita dough is made into flattened rounds and the dough puff up dramatically due to the high temperature (about 450 °F). The layers of baked dough which remain inside the deflated pita allow the bread to be opened to form a pocket. Pita is sometimes also baked without pockets and this type of pita is called pocketless pita. Pita can be used to wrap kebabs, falafel or gyros or to scoop sauces or dips such as taramosalata and hummus. Pita can also be cut and baked into crispy chips.
What is the difference between Pita and Flatbread?
Interrelation:
– Pita is a type of flatbread.
– Flatbreads include many different foods such as roti, naan, paratha, tortilla, pita, etc.
Leavening:
– Pita is slightly leavened.
– Flatbread is often unleavened.
Type of Cuisine:
– Pita is often used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.
– Flatbread is used in different types of cuisines.
Ingredients:
– Pita is made with flour, water, salt, and yeast.
– Flatbread is made with flour, water, and salt.
Flour:
– Pita is made from all-purpose flour.
– Flatbread can be made from a variety of flour types.
Key Takeaways
- Pita is a type of flatbread that is slightly leavened, while flatbreads are often unleavened.
- Pita is commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, while flatbreads are used in various cuisines around the world.
- Pita is made with flour, water, salt, and yeast, while flatbreads are made with flour, water, and salt.
