Who hasn’t had the frustrating experience of buying a delicious loaf of bread and, after a few days, I find it hard as a stone or, even worse, covered in mold? We all want to enjoy that crispy, chewy interior for longer.
As for the popular potato tip to keep them freshthere is a simple method to keep the bread in optimal conditions. A renowned baker shares his foolproof trick that requires no plastic packaging or complicated solutions.
The Simple Trick to Keep Bread Fresh for Days
According to Joost Arijs, an experienced Dutch baker, the solution is simpler than you might imagine. He big mistake What most people do is store bread in plastic bags, which turns out to be the worst enemy of its freshness.
Plastic bags retain moisture, turn bread into a rubbery dough and make it easier the appearance of mold. But what can you do to avoid these problems?
The answer lies in equipment that many already use but do not take full advantage of: the paper. Arijs explains that Storing bread in paper bags allows it to breathewhile maintaining the crispy crust for longer and reduce the risk of it becoming gummy or going bad quickly.
Of course, don’t expect miracles: even if the bread keeps a little cooler, it will inevitably lose some of its texture over the days.
Why avoid plastic to store bread?
Plastic bags not only retain moisture, but also They create an ideal environment for mold to grow. If you’ve ever left a loaf of bread in a plastic bag, you know that after a day or two, a Characteristic mold that completely ruins the product. Even if you store it in a cool, dry place, plastic’s lack of ventilation is a death trap for bread.
Other alternatives for storing bread
Although paper bags are the most common recommendation, there are other equally effective alternatives. For example, the waxed paper, used in some bakeries, This is a great option. This layer of paraffin helps preserve the proper moisture in the bread, preventing it from drying out quickly. This way you can enjoy fresh bread for several more days.
They can also be used beeswax wraps, A durable and practical option for storing food, including bread. This type of packaging allows the bread to breathe while retaining the necessary humidity to prevent it from hardening too early.
Panera, the traditional option that still works
We must not forget the classic paneraa utensil that has accompanied many generations in the kitchen. These ventilated boxes are ideal for storing bread in a controlled environment, where air circulates sufficiently to prevent mold from developing, but without drying out the bread too much.
And if you don’t intend to eat the bread in the next few days, It is always possible to freeze it. This method, although more practical, requires wrapping the bread well in plastic film or a suitable bag before putting it in the freezer, in order to best preserve its texture when you decide to defrost it.
