Freiburg Breadmeasures

Standardized measures are a ubiquitous part of our lives, from cans to shots to prepackaged products. While shrinkflation exists, the sizes or volumes are always listed on the box. This was not always the case, however, and alternatives were once needed to resolve market disputes. 

Scales and tape measures were rare and expensive in the Middle Ages, and used only by certified professionals who had no time to deal with trivial market disputes. To address this, the city introduced a series of official bread measures in 1270, adding two more in 1317 and a fourth in 1320. These measures showed the proper size of a specific type of bread, allowing patrons to compare their bread to it and see if the baker was cutting corners (and report them if necessary).

Today, you can still use these measures, and the same types of breads are sold in the city’s traditional bakeries — though there’s no guarantee the police will help you if your bread doesn’t match.