The evening meal is typically German. Fresh bread, topped with sausage or cheese, is a fine and above all delicious thing. Especially since you don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen – a great advantage for anyone who works all day and prefers to relax in the evening instead of wielding a wooden spoon for hours on end. In order to be able to eat bread not only on the first day after buying it, but also in the days that follow, it must be stored properly. Storage is the key to keeping bread fresh for a longer time. In the following you can read everything you need to know about bread storage. This also applies if you bake the bread yourself.
- 3 general things to do for bread storage
- Paper or plastic bag?
- Bread box
- Bread box made of natural materials
- Pay attention to shelf life when buying bread
- Moldy bread: what to do?
- Common questions about bread storage
Almost one in seven store bread incorrectly, according to a 2017 survey by Statista. Because 14 percent of respondents said they store bread in the refrigerator – which is the worst method of storage. In baked goods, water is bound by the starch found in the flour. It is gradually released back into the environment after the baking process is complete. This process is called retrogradation, which is enhanced threefold by the low temperature in the refrigerator. This means: Bread will not keep fresh in the refrigerator, Bread becomes dry and old much more quickly than with other storage methods. In addition, it loses flavor in the refrigerator. Therefore, the refrigerator is not a good place to store bread. The only exception: if it is warm and humid in summer, you can store bread and rolls in the refrigerator. Baked goods spoil faster outside the refrigerator than inside in this weather. However, you have to put up with the poorer taste.
In general, you should keep three things in mind when storing bread:
A room temperature of 18 to 22 degrees is ideal.
Bread should be stored in a way that allows air to circulate, so it’s best to store it in a breathable bread box. If there is a buildup of air, the moisture released by the bread can cause mold to form more quickly.
It must be protected from drying out.
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Paper or plastic – which bag is better?
Bread and rolls from the bakery are usually packed in a paper bag – which is actually a good way to keep the baked goods fresh longer. The paper absorbs the moisture released by the bread. In addition, the bag protects against the bread drying out. For single households the baker’s bag is usually already sufficient. Plastic bags, on the other hand, are not a good choice for bread storage. The humidity cannot escape here, the bread stays fresh only very briefly and starts to mold very quickly. If you buy bread in stock or bake larger quantities of bread yourself, you need a better storage method: the bread box.
The bread box
From wood to metal to ceramic – the bread bin, also called bread pot, comes in many different materials and designs. The most important thing is that either the material of the box is breathable or the bread box has ventilation holes to allow moisture to escape. Bread boxes that have neither one nor the other property are unsuitable for storing bread. They would only ensure that your bread will mold within a short time.
Bread containers come in different designs. Stainless steel or sheet metal bread bins are popular. These are usually equipped with several air holes on the back, allowing the moisture to escape. The material is easy to clean, but not always tasteless. However, you can prevent flavor transfer quite easily: Just leave the baked goods in the paper bag. It absorbs moisture. Even with boxes made of plastic, care must be taken to ensure adequate ventilation through holes, as the material cannot absorb moisture.
Menu echasse Bowl
Not only the storage of bread, rolls and pastries is important – the presentation also plays a major role. Because when food is served attractively, it tastes even better. Menu echasse smoked glass bowl is ideal for presenting food deliciously. But the plate is not only ideal for baked goods: small snacks, fruit or finger food are also well kept here.
Reinterpreting the classic elegance of glass vases and bowls, the echasse series brings a minimalist silhouette with a striking, playful touch to modern and traditional spaces.
Bread box made of natural materials
Unlike stainless steel and plastic, bread boxes made of natural materials can absorb moisture. Due to the naturally occurring tannic acid in the wood, wooden boxes have an antibacterial effect. They also absorb moisture from the bread, but do not release it again. Therefore, they are very suitable for bread storage. To prevent the bread from drying out too quickly in the wooden box, wrap it in a paper bag. This improves air circulation in the box and the bread stays fresh longer.
A clay or ceramic bread bin absorbs water through its unglazed surface and transports it outwards. A practical example of a ceramic bread storage is the Roman pot. The bottom inside is glazed, making it easy to clean, while the unglazed lid provides the necessary air exchange. However, the clay not only absorbs moisture from the bread – it also returns it when needed. This makes this material ideal for storing bread, provided the Roman pot is not completely glazed. Then, like the plastic and stainless steel models, it needs air holes for air exchange. And also the effect of moisture return is taken by the glaze.
The place for the bread bin should be chosen carefully. If it is too close to the hob, the bread would quickly mold due to the water vapor. The same applies to the microwave. A place directly by the window is also discouraged: The draft ensures that the bread loses moisture faster and becomes dry.
For on the road, a bread box is suitable, as it is often used at school or in the office. Sandwiches or rolls stay fresh in it until break time without any problems. In the bread box the break snack is besides well protected, even if backpack or satchel are treated sometimes roughly. A piece of fruit or small snacks can also be transported in the bread box. Another advantage: you save packaging material such as breakfast bags, cling film or aluminum foil.