They serve to keep bread at a cool, constant temperature, keep the mice away, and help keep the bread from going stale. The staling process of bread is quite interesting, as it's not directly related to the loss of moisture but instead has to do with the alignment of the starch molecules within the bread.
Bread boxes are your friends
"Bread boxes are a great way to keep bread, and a fun way to add style to your kitchen. They have small holes in them, which allow just a little air to circulate, keeping bread from molding.
Bread boxes are used for more than just bread
Bread boxes are great for storing cupcakes, muffins, and even cake. If you have a lot of baking tins taking up space in your cupboard, then using your bread box as extra storage is a great way to save some space.
With anti-germ qualities and non-scratchy surfaces, the wooden bread boxes happen to have longer durability. In addition to this, the robust structure of these boxes makes them hard to break and fresh hot bread wouldn't affect the inside of the box in any way.
A breadbox -- basically a foot-square container with an opening that's not airtight -- creates a controlled environment somewhere between those extremes. The moisture from the bread raises the humidity in the box, but air circulation keeps it from getting as moist as in a sealed plastic bag.
Don't be tempted to put bread in the fridge, however, as the staling process speeds up at low temperatures. You can blame the decline of the breadbox on the advent of preservatives in bread, and the packaging of commercial bread in plastic bags.
In short, store your bread at room temperature in a cool, dark, dry place such as a pantry, breadbox, or cabinet if you plan to eat it quickly, and freeze it if you want it to last longer. Bread stored at room temperature should be in its original packaging or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
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.
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.
This was the little wooden box where you kept your bread so that it would stay safe when it wasn't needed. It seems as though everyone had a bread box in the past, but in modern times, many people don't seem to use them any longer. They're still somewhat popular, but they just aren't as prevalent as they once were.
You can keep your fresh loaf in a bread box for a few days. With its dark and dry interior, a bread box helps maintain a decent balance of moisture to keep the inside of the bread soft and its exterior crusty. Make sure there is plenty of room inside for good air circulation.
Bread boxes aren't just for looks (although some can definitely improve the look and feel of your kitchen). They're also ideal for storing bread to keep it from molding. Just place the loaf directly into the box without putting into a paper or plastic bag first.
Punjab is the state which is known as the breadbasket of India.
Bottom line: If you're doing more than an occasional amount of bread baking, it's worth having a proper proofing basket in your kitchen. When used without a liner, coiled baskets leave a pretty ringed pattern on your baked loaf.
You don't need a proofing basket to make really beautiful loaves at home. Instead line a bowl with a clean kitchen towel and dust the towel generously with flour. Make sure the bowl is at least two times the size of your shaped loaf.
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.
You should keep your bread far away from the stove, the top of the fridge, or any area that's near sources of heat. Instead, your best bet it to keep it in a dark, cool section of your kitchen counter or your pantry.
*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.
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.
Storing your bread on the countertop in a plastic bag (or well-sealed plastic wrap) will help keep it from going stale, but be warned: the crust will suffer and grow mold due to trapped moisture. Toasting the bread (if it's too soft but not yet moldy, of course) will bring some of the crust's crunchy texture back.
Because paper lets air into the bag, keeping the bread dry and the crust crisp and delicious. If you store bread in a plastic bag, the moisture from the bread gets trapped in the bag making the crust soft. Storing in plastic will keep the bread fresh longer, but you'll lose the crust.