The warm, crusty bread fresh from the bakery oven is a real treat for the taste buds. And so it’s really a shame that this same bread, which was warm and crispy, can become, after a period of time, elastic, dry or hard. You must know that the quality of the bread begins to deteriorate as soon as it comes out of the oven and its temperature drops. The scientific explanation lies in the fact that the structure of the starch contained in bread changes and crystallizes when the bread is cooled. As this crystallization progresses, water is expelled from the bread and it gradually becomes dry, until it ends up being stale.
Any self-respecting lover of good bread should know how to store it, to be able to enjoy all its flavor, and for as long as possible. Here are our tips and tricks for all those who like to eat good bread:
1. Don’t put it in the fridge
Contrary to what many people think, putting the bread in the fridge does not help keep it longer or preserve its texture. On the contrary, bread deteriorates six times faster in the fridge than at room temperature (normal). Bread is not a food like any other, and the cold accelerates the crystallization process of the starch, which it contains in large quantities. This is why putting it in the fridge is a bad idea, if you want to extend its lifespan.
2. Buy bread that has a nice crust
The crust, apart from giving the bread its crispy appearance, plays a crucial role in its preservation. It forms a sort of envelope around the bread, which prevents air from penetrating inside and drying it out.. It is therefore no coincidence that bread with a thick crust (such as country bread) keeps longer than thin bread (such as a baguette). So you can, even if only from time to time, put aside your classic baguette in favor of a more rustic bread, which you can enjoy for longer.
3. Don’t buy it pre-cut
At this point you should know that the crust of the bread protects it from direct contact with air, and that the air weakens and stimulates the deterioration of the bread. By purchasing sliced bread for example, each slice will be exposed on both sides to the open air, and your bread may lose its freshness very quickly. Whether it’s a baguette or a loaf, only buy your pre-cut bread if you plan to eat it during the day. Otherwise, it is better to buy it in one piece.
4. Cut out only what you plan to eat
Just as it is not recommended to buy pre-cut bread, if you want to make it last, it is better to take pieces of your bread gradually and according to your needs. A basket of small pieces of bread, if not eaten quickly, risks losing its freshness more quickly than a baguette that has been opened.
5. Protect it from the air
As explained previously, bread is sensitive to contact with air. So that it does not dry out, it is better to wrap it. For example, you can wrap it in a clean napkin, or keep it in a kraft paper bag.. Your bread will thus be well protected and its freshness preserved for even longer.
6. Eat it quickly or freeze it
If you don’t plan to eat your bread within 24 hours, freeze it. Freezing is by far the best way to preserve bread., because it stops the crystallization process of the starch present in the latter. However, don’t wait too long before putting your bread in the freezer, the sooner you freeze it after purchasing it, the better it will be when defrosted.
Little practical tip: before freezing your bread, remember to cut it into pieces or slices in order to make several portions, and put each portion in a separate freezer bag. When you feel a little hungry, you will only take out one ration to satisfy your hunger. In this way, there will be no waste and you will be able to enjoy fresh bread for longer.
7. Reheat it in the oven
For find the flavor and crispness of fresh bread, put it in the oven. Five to ten minutes will awaken his greedy side. However, it should be kept in mind that bread reheated in this way must be consumed quickly, and cannot be put back in the oven a second time. Given that during the first pass, the heat will have dried out the bread and will have completely stripped it of its water.
The trick to resurrecting stale bread
Take your stale baguette and pass it under a thin stream of water. To do this, you can open your faucet slightly and quickly slide the wand underneath. Then, once your bread is rehydrated, all you have to do is put it in the oven at the right temperature. After 5 or 7 minutes you can exit your baguette which will be crispy and ready to be enjoyed. The only drawback to this method: your bread will not withstand a second time in the oven and this tip is only valid once.