in the cool latitudes of northern europe lrye buckwheat and barley were the principal cereals for centuries large dark breads made from these flours were not only the staple food but during severe famine were often the only food for all but the most wealthy "if we have bread and beer what more do we need ? is a famous russian saying links with southern europe meant that wheat flour gradually became popular, at first only among the aristocracy but later filtering through to the general population, where the flour was used mostly for festive bread and cakes. today, thanks to genetic manipulation, wheat is widely grown in russia, poland and other parts of eastern europe, but the fondness for breads made from rye and buckwheat continues to this day, and these traditional breads are still the mainstay for rural communities