There are many varieties of Cornbread but all contain cornmeal and are quick breads; that is, they are not leavened by yeast as traditional loaves. Cornbread is uniquely a product of the United States, as corn was used in North American cooking long before Europeans arrived on the continent.

In present times, cornbread is known as a staple of southern cuisine, with equal amounts of salt and sugar to accentuate the tastes of other food. Most cornbreads are baked and contain a heavy fat, such as lard or other shortening. Fast Facts:

1. Popular during the American Civil War because it was very cheap and could be made in many different forms
2. Can be made into high rising, loaves or simply fried for a fast meal
3. A thicker buttermilk based batter deep fried rather than pan fried, forms the hushpuppy