Naan bread and pita bread are 2 different types of flat breads that are often confused. It is important to be able to distinguish these 2 types of bread because they have different nutritional values mainly due to the fact that they are made using different ingredients. The article below gives a detailed explanation of how naan bread differs from pita bread. The differences emanate from how they are both made, the taste, appearance, nutritional value as well as the texture. So the next time you walk into a grocery store simply use these differences to tell them apart.
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Naan bread
Naan bread is a leavened type of flat bread. It has its origins in India and it was commonly baked in an oven known as tandoor. However, since we are now leaving in modern times most people now use the oven or stove to make naan bread. It is made using a number of ingredients like wheat flour, yoghurt, yeast, milk, water and cooking fat. Naan bread is oval shaped, this is because when making the dough people usually shape it into a ball.
Pita
Pita is a yeast leavened flat bread that originated in the Middle East. It is made using very few ingredients and these include flour, yeast, salt and water. Pita bread is tough and dry but when cut into half it forms 2 pockets which are great for stuffing meat or vegetables, that is why pita bread is commonly used for making sandwiches.
Difference between naan bread and pita
Production process
The first difference to note is based on how theses 2 types of bread are made. Pita is made using a lean dough that usually comprises of flour, yeast, olive oil and salt. On the other hand naan bread is made using an enriched dough that includes ingredients like eggs and yoghurt that give it a texture which is a bit different.
Furthermore pita takes less time to prepare as compared to naan bread. This is mainly due to the fact that pita contains very few ingredients so you do not have to waste a lot of time mixing up ingredients.
To add on, pita bread is cooked in an extremely hot oven that is why it forms bread pockets whereas naan bread is cooked on a griddle with less heat that is why it has a number of large bubbles all over it instead of 1 large air pocket.
Texture
Naan bread is more moist and tender as compared to pita bread which is dry. This is mainly due to the fact that the ingredients used to make these 2 types of bread are different. Naan bread contains yoghurt and eggs which make bread moist and soft.
Appearance
Naan bread is oval shaped, bubbly and fluffy as compared to pita bread which is perfectly circular in nature and the bread pocket is way perfect as compared to that of naan bread. That is why most people used pita for making sandwiches.
Taste
Although naan bread and pita are both flat breads they have different tastes. This is mainly due to the differences in ingredients.
Nutritional value
Naan bread contains more nutrients as compared to pita bread. This is mainly because naan bread is made using a lot of healthy ingredients. It is important to know that naan bread contains a lot of sodium as compared to pita.
Similarities between naan bread and pita
Production process
Naan bread and pita are both leavened type of flat breads. They both contain yeast as a raising agent.
Furthermore, they can both act as substitutes for pizza crust and are commonly served the same way. So if you do not have naan bread you can substitute with pita and the opposite is true.
How to store naan bread and pita
Naan bread and pita can be stored after they have been cooked so if you have a tendency of throwing away the 2 types of flat bread with the belief that it will rot then you are totally wrong. To store naan bread and pita follow these easy steps.
Step 1
Start by letting the naan bread or pita cool down before you can do anything else. This is because you cannot freeze hot naan bread or pita since it will lose is moist texture.
Step 2
When the naan bread or pita has cooled down simply place it inside a large size zip seal bag and seal it so that moisture and air do not get inside.
Step 3
You can store the naan bread or pita at room temperature that is if you intend on consuming it within a period of 2 days. The refrigerator is also another option if you intend on eating the naan bread or pita within 4 to 5 days. However, to extend the shelf life of naan bread and pita bread always place them in the freezer. They will last for a few months in the freezer. Remember to label the zip seal bag before placing it inside the freezer, this will help you to recall when exactly you placed the bread just in case you forget.
Tips to ensure that naan bread and pita stay fresh and free from moulds
Tip 1
Naan bread and pita bread should never be stored in plastic bags. This is because they trap moisture inside thus the end result will be mould or soggy naan bread or pitas. A number of people have a tendency of using plastic bags to store flat breads but this is not right so avoid doing this.
Tip 2
When placing the naan bread and pita in freezer bags make sure you are using quality freezer bags. Furthermore always remember to squeeze out extra air from the zip seal bag before sealing it.
Tip 3
For extra protection you can always cover your wrapped pita bread or naan bread with aluminium foil. This will help to protect the flat bread from the cold temperatures of the freezer and also it increases the shelf life of the naan bread.
