Storm

Nobody likes them. They are hard to chew, one side is browner than another one (so imperfect!). When you bite to it, you almost break your jaw and the chewing sensation is far from enjoyable. No surprise they are recklessly dumped into the trash bin.

What am I talking about?

The bread ends, of course (in Dutch they are called kontjes – asses).

Despite my dramatic introduction, I have never had a hard feeling about them, haha. Yes, they aren't my favourite part of bread, but with some adjustments (jam, tea, spread or toasting) I'm able to enjoy them nonetheless.

My tolerance to kontjes isn't something special, many people eat them, but since I came here I got a whole different look towards consumption of bread: how much Dutch people eat of it and that they eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Also, so much bread is wasted in households and cafes (as far as I encountered).

I believe I got this "don't throw bread ends away" from my family - my parents grew up in times when there was a moderate amount of food. Also, for centuries, bread was the most valuable, sacred Lithuanian product (brown rye bread, but maybe white one too).

If you refuse to consume bread ends - you are one of many. That's fine. Our behaviour stems from our families, economical situation or other circumstances. We are members of Modern society where wasting food is a norm after all. With time I've noticed that even my parents occasionally "forget" to eat the ends…

But the message today is one – kontjes are food even if it looks weird, less appealing. In the Netherlands (and most European countries) there is a surplus and tons of food is wasted behind our backs every day. But saving as much as we can at least seems the right thing to do. That shows our values and with time might bring a change.

Sooo, would you consider giving kontjes another chance?

If yes, here's an action plan:

Step 1 – stop calling them kontjes (if you're not Dutch, don't start calling themthat way). Nobody would like eating something that is called "ass", your brain might have subconscious resistance. Let's call them bread cheeks – wangetjes (but don't think about buttcheeks, for god's sake!)

Step 2 – change your perception. What is so wrong with them that stops you from eating? Maybe that's just a habit or peer pressure?

Step 3 – find pros. How would eating them benefit you? E.g. They are harder to chew – good for your chewing muscles. Saves money, you show respect for food and start living more sustainably.

Step 4 – try them. Put some chocopasta, vegan spread or muisjes. Eat with a stew, soup, toast it. Watch a movie while eating! All these things will distract you from "unusual' experience ;)

Step 5 – keep going! How do you feel? Was it easy, did you enjoy it? Try new ways (there are loads of recipes, for example, french toast, yum!) and introduce them to your anti-bread cheeks family and friends. Maybe they are going to like that too!

You can't try this plan but want to deal with bread cheeks more sustainably? Check out these tips!

1. If you live with other students and they are a bit broke or just don't mind eating bread ends? Donate! (there's no shame in eating food that otherwise would be thrown away!)
2. Compost it!
3. I've heard that bread causes ducks' bellyaches... But channel-species might have evolved to digest it. Consider feeding them (unless Dutch ducks don't like bread-cheeks too). That'd be like animals-therapy for you.

P.S. But don't do that too often, they might memorize you and find where you live!