Regardless of whether you prefer to make your own bread or buy it in bulk, you know that it can go bad much faster than you think.
That’s why it’s tempting to keep your bread in the fridge, even for a couple of days. But, keep in mind that cold storage can prolong the shelf life of almost-ripe fruits and vegetables.
On the Internet, there is a debate about where to store your loaves of bread. Some people think that it’s fine to keep them in the fridge, while others believe that they should be placed at room temperature.
We’ve got you covered, as we will show you how to store your bread correctly. While your fridge may be the ideal solution when it comes to prolonging a lot of foods, keeping bread inside it can have the opposite effect. Doing so can shorten its shelf life and ruin its texture and taste.
According to Serious Eats, the starch molecules of bread change as it goes bad. This is why it becomes crumbly and dries out. Its taste also changes as it gets stale. Starch is a crystalline substance, and when it’s turned into dough, it breaks down.
After a loaf has been baked, the starch inside will solidify and revert to its original shape once it cools down. This happens again once the bread is refrigerated. The cold will speed up the process, making the product go bad even faster.
The cool environment inside the fridge can accelerate the crystallization process, which can render your bread hard and dried in no time. As a result, when you refrigerate it, you’re essentially pushing the product forward on its shelf life, and there’s no point in giving up.
Regardless of whether you buy it at a store or make it yourself, there are a few tricks that can help prevent staleness and mold in your bread without ruining it. In addition to this, there are also several ways that you can increase the shelf life of your bread.
You’re right, your fridge can’t handle bread. But, freezing it can help extend its shelf life by preventing it from going bad immediately. Doing this will allow the product to stay fresh and avoid the development of mold.
When a loaf is placed in a cold environment, but still above freezing, it will re-crystallize. However, when it’s in a room with a temperature of below zero, the internal structure of the product will stop working. According to Insider, frozen bread can last for up to six months.
Although it’s possible that your bread will get a little soggy after it has been defrosted, it won’t change much once it’s turned into a sandwich or put into the toaster. If you’re not planning on freezing your bread, you can use a bread box. This type of storage method has been used for a long time.
A bread box is made to endure the test of time due to its airtightness. These type of containers have small air holes that allow for a little humidity and circulation. In addition to that, they can keep the product in a balanced environment and prevent other external factors like high heat and sunlight from damaging it.
Keeping your bread inside its original wrapper can add a layer of protection against staleness. Compared to putting an unwrapped loaf inside a box, this method provides you with a few extra days of freshness.
