FoodStop making your bread hard and dull. Common mistakes and tricks to keep it fresh and crunchy

Stop making your bread hard and dull. Common mistakes and tricks to keep it fresh and crunchy

Bread box with bread
Bread box with bread
Images source: © Adobe Stock

11:12 AM EST, January 20, 2024

Did you buy fresh bread yesterday, only to find it hard as a rock today? This may be due to a common storage mistake, which takes away the freshness and crunch of the bread. In this article, you'll learn how to avoid this problem and enjoy tasty, crunchy bread every day. Consider whether you're making a mistake that causes the bread to lose its flavor.

Common Bread Storage Mistakes

One of the most frequent errors in bread storage is placing it in a plastic bag. Plastic guarantees airtightness, a state that blocks air from reaching the bread. This leads to the bread losing its crunch and becoming soft and sticky.

Another misstep is storing bread in the fridge. The cold solidifies the gluten in the bread, resulting in a hard and compact texture.

How to Store Bread Properly?

The optimal way to store bread is in a breadbox with holes allowing air to circulate. This storage method helps the bread maintain its crunch and freshness for several days.

If you don't own a breadbox, a linen bag is an alternative. Linen is a natural material that permits air flow, and simultaneously prevents the bread from drying out.

Here are a few additional considerations to ensure that your bread stays fresh:

  • Avoid storing bread in a warm and humid place.
  • If the bread is already hard, you can refresh it by placing it in a pre-heated oven for a few minutes.

Correct bread storage is a skill worth mastering. The right methods will preserve the freshness and crunch of your preferred baked good. Sidestep mistakes, opt for linen bags or breadboxes with holes, and you'll enjoy delicious bread longer than ever before.