(CNN) — The baguette - a mix of wheat flour, water, yeast, salt and a pinch of savoir-faire and as much a symbol of France as the Eiffel Tower - may soon join UNESCO's listing of cultural treasures.
Bakers say the traditional craft loaf, whose purchase from the local bakery is a ritual in French daily life, is being pushed off shop shelves, even in France, by frozen bread sticks made on giant assembly lines.
"There's not one single secret to making a good traditional baguette," said Mickael Reydellet, owner of eight bakeries. "It requires time, a savoir-faire, the right way of baking, good flour without additives."
A 1993 French government decree dictates that "traditional" baguettes must be made from nothing more than the four classic ingredients. Fermentation of the dough should last 15 to 20 hours in a temperature between 4 to 6 degrees Celsius.
The Confederation of French Bakers has submitted its application to be added to the U.N. rankings of intangible treasures.
Bakers say the UNESCO listing could protect a know-how that has passed through generations and shield the baguette from imposters around the world.
The UNESCO "intangible heritage" marker recognizes oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and methods of traditional craftsmanship. It already covers ancient methods of making flat breads in Iran and Kazakhstan, 1,500 beers brewed in Belgium has been recognized and the Neapolitan art of pizza twirling.
France's boulangeries were hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions last year. Reydellet said: "This title will comfort bakers and encourage the next generation."
About 6 million baguettes are sold daily in France. But Dominique Anract, president of the bakers' federation says the cultural habit is under threat, with some 30,000 bakeries closing since the 1950s as supermarkets took over.
"The first errand we ask of a child is to go buy a baguette from a bakery." Anract said. "We must protect these habits."
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Article from CNN (edited)
