The best tips for keeping bread fresh longer!
Ah, bread! That crunchy delight that has accompanied our meals since the dawn of time. Whether it's French baguette, farmhouse bread or wholemeal, it's a staple on our tables. But did you know that bread has a history as rich as its flavor? Used as a symbol of prosperity and abundance in many cultures, bread is one of the oldest foods prepared by man.
So how do you preserve it once it's out of the oven or bought from your favorite baker? Don't panic! Whether you're a fan of homemade bread or a loyal customer of your local bakery, these tips will help you keep your bread fresher longer and enjoy every bite as if it had just come out of the oven :-)
The art of bread: a rich and delicious history
Bread, in its various forms, is one of the oldest foods prepared by man. The first traces of bread date back over 30,000 years, and it quickly became a mainstay of the human diet. In Egypt, around 4,000 years ago, leavened bread was discovered thanks to natural fermentation, marking a turning point in the preparation of the bread we know today.
Bread then traveled the world, each culture adding its own unique touch. For example, the French baguette has become an international symbol of France, while pita bread is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine. This culinary heritage, which ranges from flat breads to brioche loaves, shows just how universal bread is, but also how tricky it can be to preserve...
Why does bread harden?
The main enemy of bread is air! When exposed to air, the moisture contained in bread evaporates, leading to a gradual hardening of the crust and crumb. What's more, the starch contained in the bread undergoes a retrogradation process, making the crumb harder and less palatable.
Tips for keeping bread fresh longer
Don't let your bread go stale with these tips:
Use a cloth bag or bread box
The best way to store bread is in a fabric bag, such as a cotton bread bag, or in a bread box. Unlike plastic bags, which trap moisture and encourage mold, fabric allows bread to "breathe" while limiting exposure to air.
Freezing bread
If you've bought more bread than you can use up quickly, freezing is an excellent option. To do this, wrap the bread in cling film or place it in an airtight bag before placing it in the freezer. To defrost, take it out of the freezer and leave it at room temperature for a few hours, or pop it in the oven for a few minutes for a crisp crust.
Avoid the refrigerator
Contrary to popular belief, the refrigerator is not a good place to store bread. Cold temperatures accelerate starch retrogradation, making bread harden faster!
Crisping up hard bread
If your bread is already hard, you can still make it crusty. To do this, run the bread under a trickle of water to lightly moisten the crust, then place it in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for around 10 minutes. The steam released will help to make the crust crispier and the crumb softer.
Don't throw away your stale bread
Never throw away your stale bread, you can make some French toasts with it instead! It also works with brioche, croissants...
