Bread is a staple in most households, but its short shelf life can be frustrating. It’s all too common to find your loaf turning moldy or stale within days. However, the secret to keeping bread fresh for longer lies in how you store it. While countertop storage might seem convenient, baker Emilie Raffa, founder of The Clever Carrot, reveals that heat from kitchen appliances is often the culprit for premature bread aging.
Raffa explains that storing bread in a plastic bag near appliances like the dishwasher and fridge can create a breeding ground for mold. The heat from these appliances, combined with the moisture trapped in the plastic bag, provides the perfect environment for mold growth. This can leave your entire drawer covered in green fuzz, ruining rolls, tortillas, and even raisin bread.
To prevent this, Raffa recommends storing bread in a cool, dry place, away from heat and moisture sources. This means steering clear of the oven, stove, fridge, and even the fruit bowl. The fruit bowl, you ask? Fruits like bananas and apples release ethylene gas, a ripening agent that can accelerate bread’s decline. As fruits ripen, they also release moisture, creating a humid environment that encourages mold growth.
Raffa emphasizes the importance of keeping bread away from heat, moisture, and food sources for optimal freshness. So, what are the best storage methods?
For sandwich bread, Raffa recommends a plastic bag, as it helps retain moisture and keeps the crust soft. However, she cautions against sealing the bag tightly, as this can lead to mold. A loosely twisted end is the ideal solution. For fancier rolls and buns, like brioche, paper bags are the way to go due to their breathability. However, too much air can lead to staleness, so it’s best to keep these bags as airtight as possible.
While bread boxes might seem like a good idea, Raffa isn’t a fan due to their bulkiness and space-consuming nature. Instead, she champions the fridge as an unexpected storage solution for sandwich bread. Wrapped properly to prevent staleness, bread stored in the fridge can actually stay fresh for longer than it would at room temperature. This contradicts common advice, but Raffa assures that it works wonders for preserving bread at her restaurant.
Shop-bought bread and rolls can be kept at room temperature for two to four days, or stored in the fridge for seven to 14 days. To regain a perfect texture, simply warm the bread in the oven at 150C before serving. By embracing fridge storage, you can say goodbye to mold and enjoy fresher bread for longer.
