Matzah

What is Matzah?

Matzah is a flat, unleavened bread made by mixing flour and water and baking it quickly before any rising can occur. It is usually thin, crisp, and pale, with small holes pricked across the surface to keep it flat. Some communities also make a soft version, similar in texture to pita bread, but this is less common outside the Middle East. The bread is very plain, with a dry and neutral taste. For Passover, only flour from wheat, barley, spelt, rye, or oat is used, and nothing else is added for most traditions.

Where does Matzah come from?

Matzah has its roots in the biblical story of the Exodus, when the Israelites left Egypt in haste and did not have time for their bread to rise. The Torah commands eating only unleavened bread during Passover to remember this event. Matzah has been part of Jewish ritual for thousands of years. The earliest matzah was soft, but crisp versions became popular in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially after the invention of matzah-making machines in France.

How is Matzah made?

To make matzah, flour and water are mixed and rolled out quickly, then pricked to prevent puffing. The dough must be baked within 18 minutes of adding water to avoid any leavening. The bread is cooked at a high temperature until it is dry and lightly browned. After baking, it may be left as whole sheets or ground into matzah meal for use in other dishes. For Passover, strict supervision ensures no fermentation occurs.

How and when is Matzah eaten?

Matzah is eaten throughout the seven days of Passover, especially during the Seder meal, where it is a ritual requirement. It is often eaten plain, but can also be used as a base for other foods or ground into meal for dishes like matzah ball soup. Outside Passover, it is sometimes eaten as a simple bread. During the festival, leavened bread is forbidden, so matzah becomes the main bread at the table.

Kinds of Matzah

There are two main types: soft matzah, which is thicker and pliable, and the more common crisp matzah, which is thin and cracker-like. Some communities, like Yemenite and Iraqi Jews, still make soft matzah by hand. Flavored matzah, such as with poppy seeds or onion, is available, as are versions made from spelt or oat for those with dietary needs. Matzah meal and cake meal are ground forms used in cooking and baking.

What Matzah means

Matzah is deeply tied to Jewish identity and the celebration of Passover, symbolizing both hardship and freedom. It is called the 'bread of affliction' and serves as a reminder of humility and the Exodus story. Eating matzah during Passover is a central ritual, and special care is taken to ensure it meets religious requirements. In some communities, making matzah is a communal or family event, especially for the first night of Passover.

When Matzah is on the table

Questions people ask about Matzah

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Matzah on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data