Pumpernickel..

Pumpernickel is a type of German bread traditionally made with coarsely ground rye flour. it has been long associated with the Westphalia region of Germany. The first written mention of the black bread of Westphalia was in 1450. While it is not known whether this and other early references, refer to precisely the bread that came to be known as pumpernickel, there has long been something different about Westphalia rye bread that elicited comment. The defining characteristics of Westphalia pumpernickel are a very good fresh-keeping, a sweetish taste and an exceedingly long baking period. The long slow baking is what gives pumpernickel its characteristic dark color. The bread can emerge from the oven deep brown, even black.