BREAD

is either fermented or unfermented, and is made of all sorts ot materials, which are a guide to the standard of comfort enjoyed by the people of the particular country. Maize and rice are generally used in hot countries, wheat and rye in the rest, the rice and the rye implying a very low standard of comfort, e.g. in Germany and India. to adulterate it, the alum being the commonest, because it gives a white colour to coarse flour, and retains any moisture, which, of course, increases the weight. All B. except fancy kinds are sold by weight (avoirdupois).