Bread storage is not an issue that crosses our minds too often, but how and where we keep on bread can have an important impact not only on its shelf life, but also on its quality. Bread can be quite touchy, especially artisanal varieties, so if you want your bread to be good to you, you must be good to it.
Bread Storage: Basics
As a standard rule, bread storage should be kept out of the refrigerator. Though it may been instinctual to put it in with the other groceries, thinking it will make it last longer, the cold actually draws out the moisture from the bread and makes it go stale faster. It is recommended that bread be kept at around 68 degreed Fahrenheit, and out of sunlight, preferably in a cool, dry place.
Bread Storage: Containers
The type of bread you are dealing with comes into question when deciding whether to go with paper or plastic storage bags. In the case of slices, leave the plastic bag on. The plastic bag that sliced bread comes in is meant to retain its moisture. For breads of a crusty, artisanal variety, it is best to keep it in the paper bag that it comes in. This will maintain the crispiness, where as putting it in a plastic bag with turn the bread spongy. Perhaps it is freshly baked and it is still warm, if this is the case then it is best to leave out to cool before storing. For peace of mind, and because it keeps it fresher than leaving it uncovered, a towel can be placed over it.
Bread Storage: Freezing Bread
For added longevity, bread can be frozen. This is a good move if you are faced with more product than you can handle. Freezing it will maintain the freshness until you are ready for it again. To do this, the bread must be wrapped tightly in an airtight sealed freezer bag. It is best to slice the bread before freezing it, as it is typically more difficult to do so after it has been thawed. Another option to using freezer bags is to wrap the bread in foil. Either way, the bread can stay frozen for up to four months.
When you find that you are ready to retrieve your bread from its icy state, remove it from the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature, but not before unwrapping it. To revive the bread's crust you can place it in the oven for no more than five minutes. But if you do take the oven-enhanced crust route, then it will be the last time you can reheat the bread without allowing it to go stale. Otherwise, if you still find yourself with too much bread to handle, then it can be refrozen.
For such a seemingly simple, staple food, bread can be quite needy. But the effort in proper bread storage is rewarding when you find yourself with fresh bread well beyond its baking.
