Wrapping bread and storing it at room temperature will help it retain moisture for a few days. But what if you can't finish the whole loaf in that amount of time? Freezing is the answer. The takeaway: If you're storing bread longer than a few days, it's best to keep it in the freezer.
Wrap it in aluminum foil: Using foil is a common way to preserve bread. When using aluminum foil, carefully wrap every part of the loaf to protect it from direct air, which causes staleness. Place the loaf in a paper bag or bread box for short-term storage.
To save bread so it stays fresh longer, you can store it in plastic wrap, a reusable zip-top plastic bag, or a bread box. Avoid storing bread in damp, airy locations, which can speed up molding. If you're not going to eat the loaf in two or three days, the best option is to freeze it for later.
Try to store bread in a cool and dry area of your kitchen. If not out on the counter, then in a cabinet or a deep drawer."
According to Baker, it isn't advisable to store bread in the refrigerator. Although it would still be perfectly healthy to eat, she cautions that it will become a lot less palatable because the cold temperatures of the fridge will cause the starch in your bread to recrystallize and lose moisture.
Bread should be stored in an air-tight container, but still have some room to breath. Any kind of tin or bread box will work, as long as the lid fits tightly enough to keep air out.
But, unlike the bag, a box also is breathable, allowing some of that moisture to escape instead of softening the bread's exterior. In short, the box creates the perfect humid environment to keep your bread at its peak for three or four days.
Linen bags are an excellent choice for storing freshly baked breads. They hit the sweet spot of keeping enough moisture in so the bread doesn't dry out and allowing enough air flow to prevent premature mold.
Although plastic bags and airtight containers may seem like a good way to keep your bread from going stale, the lack of airflow will foster an environment for mold growth, because the moisture is contained and mold loves moisture. If you want to put your bread in a container, a bread box is the way to go.
If you don't have a bread box, you can use saran wrap or a Ziploc bag. Plastic bags trap the air and moisture from the bread inside which keeps your loaf of homemade bread super soft and you don't have to worry about it going stale right away. Make sure you keep it at room temperature while storing it in plastic.
Wrap bread.
While linen bread bags and paper bags are potential options, they don't boast the same level of security as tightly wrapped aluminum foil or sealed plastic bags. Store bread in plastic wrap for potentially the most secure option possible.
If you tightly wrap your bread in plastic and put it in the refrigerator, you can help slow the staling process. Freezing bread is an option to help prevent it from going stale and developing spoilage microbes.
*Never keep your bread in the fridge. The starch molecules in bread recrystallize very quickly at cool temperatures, and cause the bread to stale much faster when refrigerated. *Shop-bought loaves should be kept in an air-tight plastic bag at room temperature rather than in the fridge.
Wrapping bread and storing it at room temperature will help it retain moisture for a few days. But what if you can't finish the whole loaf in that amount of time? Freezing is the answer. The takeaway: If you're storing bread longer than a few days, it's best to keep it in the freezer.
Paper bags, kitchen towels, and plastic bags
Plain paper bags and kitchen towels also work very well to keep the bread from drying excessively. And while many sources say never to use a plastic bag, sometimes it might be necessary, especially if your climate demands it.
Wrap It Up
Cut a length of paper about four or five times the width of your loaf, and place the bread in the center. Draw the ends of the paper together above the bread, then fold the paper down several times in two or three crisp folds until it's flush with the top of the quick bread.
One of the best ways to store bread is to keep it in a bread bin. Those with a tight seal will help to keep your loaves fresher for longer. It should be kept in a cool place, but avoid keeping it in the fridge. Bread freezes well whole or in slices.
Whether you're baking bread from scratch or picking up a loaf from your favorite bakery, a quality bread box is an excellent way to keep your bread crust crunchy while leaving the inside soft and chewy. Alternative storing methods simply don't hold up.
Stainless steel bread boxes are the most durable and often have a modern look. Wood offers a more traditional or rustic design. Some types, such as bamboo (a sustainable material) are eco-friendly.
Experts say that the best method is to store fresh-baked bread in something breathable—a paper sack, a ceramic bread box, or cotton or linen bags—so that the crust remains hard and the inside soft.
Bread remains fluffy and moist for longer when wrapped in the beeswax cloth. The cloth prevents condensation from occurring which in turn prevents mould. The beeswax cloth is made of cotton coated with beeswax and small amounts of tree resin and jojoba oil.
Temperature. Bread will inevitably grow mold the fastest when left at room temperature, which is anywhere between 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C) because mold grows at 40 to 140°F (4 to 60°C). What is this? On the other hand, the colder the temperature is, the slower mold will grow.
Keep store bought bread in its original packaging, tightly closed with a tie. If you've made a loaf of fresh bread, or picked up a loaf of artisanal bread, wrap it securely in plastic wrap, then wrap the loaf in a clean tea towel to keep it at its best.
In the 1930s, sliced loaves came wrapped in wax paper (and later cellophane) with the folded-over ends sealed with glued-on labels. This kept the bread flesh until the package was opened, but then it was not easily resealed.