Bread is an essential item on most people’s shopping lists, but it can be frustrating when it spoils only days after buying it at the supermarket.
It may seem obvious that storing bread in a cool environment like the fridge will help it last longer, but it is one of the worst places to keep it in your kitchen.
Mairym Monti Carlo, a professional chef, has shared that storing bread in its original plastic packaging in the fridge will cause it to become stale and mouldy much more quickly.
She said: “Want bread that stays fresher longer? Take it out of the plastic bag and keep it out of the fridge.
“Plastic traps moisture which makes your bread mouldy faster. Instead, use beeswax wraps, which aren’t airtight, so they will keep moisture in but not so much so that bacteria grows.”
What is the best way to store bread to keep it fresh?
Storing bread in beeswax wraps protects it from moisture and allows it to breathe so it stays fresh for longer. Not only are beeswax wraps cheap to buy but they are also eco-friendly and reusable so they are a more natural alternative to plastic bags or clingfilm.
Once you have wrapped your bread up, it is best to keep it at room temperature but be careful of storing it on your kitchen counter in a bread bin if you own lots of home appliances as the heat from microwaves or air fryers will also cause it to spoil.
Bread needs to be kept away from heat as it can accelerate the growth of mould which will shorten the bread’s shelf life and will also alter the flavour. It is best to store bread in a dark place such as a kitchen cabinet away from the oven as too much sunlight will also cause the bread to dry out quickly.
If bread is stored properly then it can stay fresh for around five to seven days longer depending on the type of bread, but if you wish to store it longer then it is best to freeze it.
Mairym said: “Store your bread at room temperature and keep it out of the fridge. The temperature in your fridge is not cold enough to keep your bread from changing texture.
The freezer on the other hand is so cold that it prevents bread from changing texture. It will stay fresh for up to three months. If you’re gonna store it in the freezer, keep it in its plastic bag.”
How to revive stale bread
Once bread has gone mouldy there is no saving it, but bread that has dried out and gone stale can be restored easily by pouring water on it.
Mairym said: “If your bread is stale and hard as a rock, then sprinkle it with a little water and then put it in a 350 (180) degree oven until it starts to steam. It will be good as new in no time.”
Simply dampen the crust by running it under tap water, place it in the oven for 10 minutes and the bread will have a crispy crust that will still be soft on the inside.
