The first indication that bread has passed its best is by assessing its texture.
As it stales, bread will harden and dry out. As long as there’s no mould, this bread is safe to eat, though it may not be entirely enjoyable.
To prevent this, Sophie Carey, bakery development manager at Matthews Cotswold Flour, has shared her top tips for bread storage with Express.co.uk.
Firstly, she highlighted where bread should “never” be stored as it can spoil the taste and freshness.
She said: “Bread should never be stored in the fridge! Although the cooler temperature of the fridge does slow the growth of mould, refrigerated conditions will speed up the staling of a loaf making it inedible far sooner than it could go mouldy.
“This is due to the starch present in the bread re-crystalising when it is chilled.”
Instead, households are advised to freeze their bread, but for the “best results”, double wrap the loaves in cling film and then add a layer of tin foil.
Sophie explained: “This will prevent the bread from developing freezer burn and will help keep it tasting fresh.”
A “great way” to refresh frozen bread is to let it thaw at room temperature, then sprinkle it with a little water before baking at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes.
According to the expert, this will fill the house with a wonderful aroma and “the bread will taste as fresh as the day you got it”.
For bread not stored in the freezer, Sophie advised that the ideal storage spot is an air-tight bread bin on the countertop, rather than a plastic bag.
She explained: “Keeping bread fresh means keeping it at a stable cool temperature, away from direct sunlight and pests.”
“Keeping a loaf well wrapped and in an airtight bread bin prevents additional bacteria from growing into mould and the stable temperature and humidity stops it from going stale.”
Instead of storing the bread directly in a plastic bag, Sophie recommends against it. The plastic bag traps the bread’s moisture, creating an environment conducive to mould growth.
When stored correctly, bread can remain fresh for around 3-5 days.
