Bun

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A bun is a type of bread that is round and small enough that it can generally be eaten hand-held. Whether a bun is considered sweetened or unsweetened differs between countries: it is considered sweetened in England, Scotland and Wales, a savory bread in Northern Ireland,<ref name=":0">Template:Oed</ref><ref name="cam">Template:Cite Cambridge Dictionaries</ref> and either a sweet bread or a savory bread roll in the United States.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="cam" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Terminology

In England, Scotland and Wales, a bun is considered a type of sweet cake, understood as very rich, spiced and studded with fruit in Scotland, seen in the example of the currant bun.<ref name=":0" /> In the US, a roll is understood as a bread roll, particularly one that holds a burger, and is cut horizontally.<ref name="cam" /> Chinese baozi, with savory or sweet fillings, are often referred to as "buns" in English.Template:Citation needed

Composition

Buns are usually made from a dough of flour, milk, yeast and small amounts of sugar and/or butter. Sweet bun dough is distinguished from bread dough by the addition of sugar, butter and sometimes egg. Common sweet varieties contain small fruit or nuts, topped with icing or caramel, and filled with jam or cream.Template:Citation needed Many types of bun are brushed with egg yolk to produce a golden appearance.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

History

The etymology of the word bun is unclear. The Oxford English Dictionary pins the earliest known use to 1371 in the Assize of Bread and Ale, a law of Medieval Europe in the form "bunne" where they identify the meaning as "doubtful", understood from the context simply to refer to a type of "loaf or cake".<ref name=":0" /> As of the 14th century in Japan, steamed buns stuffed with vegetables or the sweet yōkan were eaten by Buddhists.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> By the 16th century in Europe, spiced buns, commonly served with sweetened wines or ale were consumed as part of funeral customs.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

See also

• List of buns
• List of breads
• List of bread dishes
• List of cakes
• List of pastries
• List of sweet breads
• Cheung Chau Bun Festival
• Chinese bakery products

External links

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