Keeping bread fresh: Hot weather storage tips you need to know

Whether your bread stays fresh largely depends on how well you store it. Throwing away bread is a significant problem, and you should do everything possible to limit waste. That’s why it’s important to know the best place for bread. It may seem obvious, but mistakes happen.

During hot days, the home kitchen operates differently. First, heavy and fried foods are not popular. Second, proper food storage becomes a major challenge. On hot days, many food products spoil faster, wilt, and lose their valuable properties. So, should you store bread in the refrigerator?

Where to store bread so it doesn’t dry out quickly... In the summer, the refrigerator seems like a better option than the breadbox. And it's not a bad line of thinking. Under "normal" conditions, the refrigerator is not recommended because low temperatures make the bread dry out faster, becoming hard and unpalatable. However, when the kitchen temperature is high, above 77 degrees F, it's better to put the bread in the cool, i.e., in the refrigerator.

During heatwaves, you can switch the breadbox to the refrigerator. Then, the bread will definitely not mold and will retain its taste properties longer. But it would help if you remembered to prepare it properly, for example, by wrapping the loaf or rolls in aluminum foil or a paper towel. The refrigerator is especially effective on hot and humid days. One type of bread that can always be stored in the refrigerator is toast bread.

However, treat the refrigerator as an occasional place for bread. When summer days are bearable in terms of temperature, as well as during other seasons, it’s much better to keep it in the breadbox or in a linen or cotton bag. The worst choice is always a plastic bag. There is no airflow in it, which leads to moisture buildup. These conditions are ideal for mold to develop and spread quickly. Instead of plastic, it’s better to use paper bags, which allow for air circulation. The best temperature for bread is 64-72 degrees F in a dry place.

Breadbox or bag?

The breadbox is the most obvious place for bread. The most important thing is what it’s made of. The best are those made from natural materials, like wood or bamboo. Metal and ceramic options are also good. There is often no space for a breadbox in small kitchens, so linen or cotton bags are ideal. They ensure proper moisture and prevent slices from drying out.