1. Why Bread Goes Stale
Depending on the kind of bread you buy, you've noticed bread stales or turns hard within 3 days. Bread goes stale because the starch in the bread crystallizes. This forces moisture out of the bread and it gets hard. You can put stale bread in a microwave or oven to break up the crystals in the bread, but this only works once or twice. Bakers recommend freezing any unused bread after 3 days.
2. Why Bread Molds
Given enough time, mold grows on bread, making it inedible. Mold grows on bread because bread is a moist product. Molds show up on bread from spores in the air or from spores on our skin when we touch the bread. The warmer, darker and moister the area is, the faster molds grow. This is why many people store breads in paper bags in the refrigerator. However, the refrigerator makes bread go stale faster. Whole wheat bread doesn't mold easily, and it's healthier for you, making it a better choice to prevent molding of bread.
3. Places to Store Bread
The best place to store bread is at room temperature in a darker place that minimizes the loss of moisture. A bread box is actually a great place to put bread. Avoid putting bread into a refrigerator since refrigerators actually speeds up the process that makes bread stale, though the refrigerator does retard mold growth. Keep store-bought bread in the plastic it came in to prevent against it becoming stale, though it will grow mold faster. Homemade bread goes stale and molds faster than store-bought. If you want to store homemade bread, wrap it tightly in a twill based bag or a paper bag and store it at room temperature.
4. Freeze Bread for Long Term Use
One option for storing bread for long-term use is to freeze it. Bread stored below freezing can last for a few months without going stale or growing mold. Wrap bread tightly in foil and place in a freezer bag before placing in the freezer to prevent against freezer burn. Thaw the bread by storing it at room temperature for an hour. If you need the bread quickly, you can put it in an oven or microwave for a few minutes, though the texture won't be as nice.
Member Comments