This isn't based on any official survey but it would be safe to give an estimate of 5,000% for the growth in the number of people baking bread since Ireland went into virtual lockdown.
Soda breads, fruit breads, sourdough; you name it, people are baking it. We've got big news for all you newly converted bakers. Lidl are selling a contraption that you may not have thought twice about six months ago but it may be intrigued by now. From Monday 13 July, you can purchase a bread maker for €49.99.
The Silvercrest Bread Maker has 16 different programmes, meaning you can bake a wide variety of breads, as well as pasta dough, pizza dough, jam and yoghurt. It also has fully automated program cycles, spanning mix, knead, rise and bake.
With a 15 hour delay timer you can set your bread to finish baking first thing in the morning, while it also has a window for checking on your bread's progess without having to open the lid of the machine. And if we've learnt anything from The Great British Bake Off it's that opening your oven while baking could potentially be disastrous.
It is a bit big, in that 1kg weight is the smallest bread setting it has, but in an Irish household that'd probably last 20 minutes with a mug or two of tea. Oh, and it also includes a recipe booklet, in case you need any inspiration.
