Freezing your bread? This common mistake might be ruining its taste
Most of us, at some point, have frozen bread to avoid waste when the bread becomes dry or starts to mold. However, not everyone knows how to freeze bread in a manner that ensures it retains its quality once thawed. Let's familiarize ourselves with the essential principles.
Essential guidelines on freezing bread
Firstly, the bread we intend to freeze should be fresh, ideally within two days of purchase (keep in mind the bread should still be fresh before freezing). Then, you can either freeze it as a whole loaf or slice it up.
Regardless of your chosen method, remember not to freeze the bread in containers or plastic bags. This can lead to stale, tasteless bread once thawed. How does this happen? It's primarily because of the trapped air, which results in the bread losing its freshness and potentially absorbing other smells from the freezer. How can we prevent this?
The best way to freeze bread
The optimal way to maintain the freshness of bread for an extended period is to store it in plastic bags specifically designed for freezing food, which have special closures. Before you stash the bread in the freezer, squeeze out any remaining air from the bag.
When freezing slices, many people advise bagging them up separately - two or three slices per bag, according to your needs. By doing so, we bypass the need to defrost a whole loaf of bread that we won't consume entirely.
When you're ready to consume the frozen bread, remember that it's crucial to let it thaw completely. Remove the bread from the bag, set it on a plate, and let it sit for a few hours or even overnight. Avoid using appliances like toasters or ovens to speed up the thawing process.
