National Breadstick Day Date in the current year: October 25, 2024

A breadstick is a pencil-sized stick of crisp, dry bread. Breadsticks originated in Italy; their Italian name is grissini (singular grissino). Grissini are believed to have originated in Piedmont, a region of Northwest Italy, in the late 17th century. The person credited with inventing them is court baker Antonio Brunero from Turin. He developed the recipe under the guidance of court doctor Teobaldo Pecchio for Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, future King of Sicily and King of Sardinia, who suffered from digestive problems.

Grissini quickly became popular because they were easier to digest than regular bread and could be stored for several weeks without molding. Among the admirers of grissini were King Charles Felix of Sardinia and Napoleon Bonaparte, who ordered to start courier service between Turin and Paris mainly to transport what he called “les petits bâtons de Turin” (the small sticks of Turin).

Traditional Italian grissini consist of four ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt. Their composition is identical to normal bread; the difference is that grissini are very thin and because of that are all crust.

Modern variations of grissini can contain other ingredients, such as milk instead of water, olive oil or animal fat, various herbs and other flavorings. It should be noted, however, that addition of fat in any form results in softer grissini with a limited shelf life compared to the dry and crisp version of the dish.

Grissini were brought to North America by Italian immigrants and became an integral part of Italian-American cuisine – Italian cuisine adapted to North American ingredients and tastes. In the United States, grissini are commonly known as breadsticks. They have been popularized by Olive Garden and other Italian-American restaurants, where they are often served as an appetizer (by themselves or as a part of a charcuterie board alongside cured meats and cheeses).

Traditional grissini are pencil-sized, dry and crisp. However, some North American restaurants serve breadsticks that are larger than pencil-sized, soft, and often topped with butter, cheese, and garlic. Soft breadsticks are sometimes served as a dessert; in this case, they can be topped with cinnamon, icing, and sugar. Pre-made dry breadsticks are sold at grocery stores and supermarkets. Similar to crackers, they can be eaten as an appetizer or a quick snack. They are often served with various dips.

The origins of National Breadstick Day are muddy, but don’t let this stop you from celebrating! Go out to your favorite Italian restaurant and enjoy some delicious breadsticks with your meal; if you’re not in the mood for going out, order takeout or learn how to make breadsticks yourself. And don’t forget to share breadsticks with friends, because everything tastes better when shared with someone you love, and spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #NationalBreadstickDay.