Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Question: Why is celebrating by raising a glass called “toasting”?

Answer: Centuries ago, dunking pieces of toasted bread into a drink during celebrations in someone’s honor was commonplace. The practice originated in the belief that the bread soaked up unwanted bitter or acidic sediments found in wine, thus making the drink more enjoyable. Another origin comes from Spain, where barkeepers would cover their customers’ drinks with slices of bread to keep insects from entering. Over time, this ritual became a celebration, and the piece of bread would be given to the person being honored, while everyone else drank.