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Zopf | Traditional Bread From Switzerland, Central Europe | TasteAtlas
Zopf | Traditional Bread From Switzerland, Central Europe | TasteAtlas
Zopf | Traditional Bread From Switzerland, Central Europe | TasteAtlas
Zopf | Traditional Bread From Switzerland, Central Europe | TasteAtlas
Zopf | Traditional Bread From Switzerland, Central Europe | TasteAtlas

Zopf

(Züpfe, Stritzel, Butterzopf, Tresse, Treccia)

Zopf is a traditional bread consisting of flour, butter, yeast, milk, and eggs. It is characterized by its soft texture and braided appearance, similar to the Jewish bread challah. Traditionally, zopf is prepared during the weekend and consumed on Sundays, usually with butter and fruit jams.


It is believed that the bread was invented in the middle of the 15th century. Originally, widows used to cut off their braided hair and bury it with their late husbands. Later on, they baked zopf and buried loaves of bread instead of hair. The name zopf literally means braid, referring to the shape of the bread.


Today, zopf can also be bought in stores, although it is still more often prepared at home.