Best Way to Store Bread

Submitted by Serena Mason on August 2, 2010

Bread is one of the most commonly consumed forms of food all over the globe. Given the cultural difference amongst the many countries that see bread as being an essential part of a meal, it is not hard to understand the fact that you will find different types of bread being created in different countries – all with their own variations and preferred additives. The nutrition value and quality of the bread depends heavily on the degree of refining used at the manufacturing process as well as the type of flour used. The denser, chewy types of bread will usually be made out of whole-wheat flour. These versions of bread contain a substantial amount of vitamins and minerals.

The average slice of bread will contain roughly about 75 calories and is high in carbohydrate content, but significantly low in fat content. Given the fact that one will usually purchase bread in quantities where it will last for a number of meals, proper storage of the food is of prime importance. There are a number of factors that will play a role in deciding the best option as moist or humid environments will allow fungus or mold to form over the bread.

Best Way to Store Bread: While there is no hard and fast rule about where and how your bread should be stored, the general consensus is that it should be stored in an air tight container to maintain its freshness. When storing hot bread, do not place it in a sealed container and allow it to cool. This causes the steam from the bread to create a moist atmosphere in the container and allows the mold to form.

Moreover, it is also important to remember that the better the quality of bread storage, the longer it is likely to retain its freshness and taste. When handling soft crusted breads, placing them in a plastic bag or air tight container usually works best while crispy crusted bread is very compatible with being stored in paper. Some people make the very rookie mistake of storing bread in the refrigerator.

This is one of the worst things to do because of the fact that the cold temperatures within the fridge will serve to dry out the bread – causing it to become stale much faster. One of the fastest ways to freshen up some bread is to dip it in cold water, drain it and heat it in an oven for a short period of time.