Yahoo News Expert says where to store bread in warm weather to keep it fresh- and it's not the fridge
Bread, like most baked goods, has a short shelf life and can start to go off just days after it's been opened or sliced.
While many know that the best place to store bread is in a cool, dark spot, maintaining such conditions can be difficult, especially during the summer months. Food safety experts caution that high temperatures and humidity can make even a bread bin unsuitable for storing this staple food item.
These loaf-shaped containers, typically made from metal, plastic, or wood, are designed for baked goods, but they fail to keep bread fresh when the surrounding air is warm. Some might consider the fridge as an alternative storage option, but this moisture-rich environment can cause similar damage to fresh loaves, reports the Express.
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When bread is kept at low temperatures, around 0C or below, moisture rises to the crust's surface and evaporates, changing its weight and flavour. Instead, German nutritional specialist Birgit Brendel recommends using ceramic or pottery containers for bread storage.
She clarified that these materials allow for an exchange of air and humidity, which helps prevent mould growth and keeps the bread from spoiling. However, this doesn't mean you need to ditch your bread bin entirely, just opt for traditional ceramic ones.
According to a specialist at fridge and freezer retailer Liebherr, the open pores of an earthenware container will absorb excess moisture and even return moisture to the bread when it starts to dry out.
They added: "Also, mildew doesn't stand much of a chance in a good, well-made clay or ceramic bread pot."
The Liebherr specialist also said: "Bins without an airtight seal, which allow air to circulate, offer similar advantages, and bread will also remain relatively fresh for a good length of time in a wax-coated bread bag."
For those without a bread bin in the kitchen, there are other temporary solutions. Wrapping freshly baked bread in cloth can keep it fresh for several days, with some advocates recommending placing the cut side of the loaf face-down on a chopping board and covering it with the cloth.
When it comes to bread bought from supermarkets, taking it out of the plastic and transferring it into a wax-coated bread bag can be an effective method.
