Bread and the mania for perfection

17/05/2021 2 comments

The photo, the text and the bread. Everything on the newspaper page looked like a cross between a mirror and a crystal ball. It really reflected my moment and who knows a future.

A baker with a wide smile, proudly displayed a loaf of bread. The report spoke of a new bakery of natural fermentation breads in the neighborhood. So I had no doubts. I immediately went to the micro-bakery's website, placed an order for two loaves of bread. He needed to see this place and the smiling baker.

On the day scheduled for delivery, I went cycling with a cold wind on my face and a weak sun in a rare blue winter sky. I arrived at the old police station building which, until sold, serves as a hub for entrepreneurs and creative initiatives. I passed through an empty hall with the appearance of a government office and went down the stairs, following the aroma of freshly baked bread.

In search of the perfect bread

I found the friendly baker serving a customer. When it was my turn to be served, the conversation flowed easily and the subject, of course, was naturally fermented bread. I loved seeing your enthusiasm and energy. Even more the courage to take that step towards professionalism. I overcame my shyness and showed the bread photos I was making at the time. He complimented the breads and gave tips. But more than that, it broke my paradigms and mania for perfection. From my insane quest for the perfect bread grail I see on social media.

O pão e mania de perfeicão — Bread, for me, is a combination of simplicity, challenge and patience.

Focus on the pleasure of making bread and not on the expectation

How did I, so critical, fall like a leaf in autumn to the tale of social media perfection? I felt like a teenager who envies impossible bodies and unrealistic life scenes. If other people's breads were prettier, the baker's continue to receive compliments from customers and, more importantly, make them happy.

So we said goodbye. I put the loaves in the bike basket and with a chest inflated with inspiration, confidently pedaled into the wind. Arriving home, I cut your bread, tasted it and loved it. Also, it gave me an immense desire to make a bread.

The other day, I woke up and got my hands dirty, literally. I focused on the pleasure of the process and not on the expectation of the result. I did things the way I like. And you know? It was one of my best breads I've made in a while.