Storing bread properly

The shelf life of different varieties

Regardless of how carefully you store your bread, it is the type of bread that determines its shelf life. There are clear differences here, and lovers of wholemeal bread get their money's worth. Next to rye, whole grain retains the moisture in the dough the longest.

Here is a brief overview of shelf life:

• Light wheat bread, e.g. baguette, pain de mie: up to 2 days
• Mixed wheat bread: 2-4 days
• Rye bread: 4-5 days
• Wholegrain bread: up to 9 days

Conclusion: Not all bread is the same. The more you get for a longer period of time, the darker it should tend to be.

The right temperature

Somewhere out there, you always run into convinced fans of of storing their bread in the fridge. That's not ideal. Similar to the storage of spices, the same applies here: Bread keeps best at room temperature of 18-22 degrees. Stored in the fridge, it loses its flavour after just one day. During this process of retrogradation, the starch contained in the flour releases its liquid and starch grains are formed. The bread becomes stale. Contrary, too high temperatures when stored near the cooker or oven cause moisture due to heat or water vapour, which can lead to mould. Also avoid proximity to the kettle. A bread box is an ideal place to store bread because it keeps the temperature constant. In addition, there is another aspect that a well-designed bread bin ensures.

Bread bin: the optimal air ventilation

The optimal air supply is of great importance. A bread bin with air holes ensures that the air circulates and moisture can escape. This keeps the bread fresh for a long time.

Tip: Take bread straight out of the plastic bag after buying it at home. The accumulated moisture in the bag is a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria. This leads to premature mould growth. Instead, choose a breathable linen bread bag and store it in the bread bin.

A bread bag has its advantages

Ever thought about taking your bread bag straight to the grocery store? If this is an option for you, you'll save on unnecessary packaging in the form of paper and plastic bags. It's good for the environment. My bakery was recently very happy when I dispensed with the paper bag and packed the bread directly into my bread bag.

You can also use the bread bag for freezing if necessary. It is important that you wrap the bag directly around the bread so that the excess air can escape. Close the bag carefully to avoid freezer burn.

Fruit and vegetables such as onions and potatoes can also be stored in the bread bag. Stowed in the bread box, they are protected from light and are also supplied with moisture.

Sliced bread

In general, you should buy bread preferably as the whole loaf. This prolongs its shelf life. Although it is more convenient, pre-sliced bread dries out more quickly and becomes mouldy. In addition, pre-packaged bread contains unnecessary preservatives, otherwise it will not keep for long. If you still prefer sliced bread, you can freeze it before it dries out and goes bad.

Tip from the bakery: store whole sliced bread in the bread box with the cut surface facing downwards. This way, the open surface and the inner part of the bread (crumb) is protected and does not dry out so quickly.

Mouldy bread - now what?

If you find mould on the bread, discard the whole piece. Even if invisible to the eye, the spores have already multiplied everywhere.

Clean the bread box with a mixture of vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio to remove any residue.

Avoid/reuse leftover bread

Bread and pastries are among the most frequently discarded foods. In terms of sustainability, you can easily counteract this.

• Buy bread sustainably only in the quantities you need.
• If you can't use it up in time, freeze it in slices in good time. How to freeze bread without plastic.
• Use leftover bread: dry bread does not have to be thrown away. You can simply toast it! Alternatively, you can use it to make bread dumplings or breadcrumbs. You can also fry it in egg breadcrumbs.