Maintaining the freshness of bread is a bit difficult, especially for small families and those who live in hot and humid climates. Therefore, learning the proper method of storing bread is the easiest way to prevent mold from growing, so that bread can be enjoyed to the last crumb.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Freezing Bread
Step 1. Cut the bread into pieces or slices
Frozen bread is not easy to cut. Therefore, cut it into pieces before freezing so you don't have to take it all out every time you want to eat it.
Step 2. Wrap tightly
Wrap the bread in wax paper/oil or aluminum foil to keep the moisture from crystallizing. For torn bread, insert wax/oil paper between the pieces to prevent the bread from sticking to each other.
Step 3. Store the bread in a plastic bag
Whenever possible, remove air from the bag by folding it after removing the bread or using airtight plastic. That way, your bread can last up to 6 months.
Step 4. Let the bread melt
When eating, make sure the bread has melted to room temperature in plastic/foil before heating so that the moisture transferred to the wrapper can be reabsorbed by the bread. That way, the texture of the bread will remain the same as on the first day it was frozen.
Method 2 of 3: Store in a Cool and Dry Place
Step 1. Buy a bread container
Place the bread container in a cool place away from heating elements that can promote mold growth. Since mold spores live in oxygen, bread containers must be airtight to keep the fungal spore population low.
Step 2. Make sure the bread is dry
Try not to touch the bread with wet hands and don't wrap the bread in something damp as the moisture will promote mold growth.
Step 3. Avoid the refrigerator
The temperature range of the refrigerator can prevent mold from growing, but bread goes stale much faster. Unlike the freezer, the refrigerator changes the structure of the bread so that in a short time the texture changes drastically.
Method 3 of 3: Making Longer Lasting Bread at Home
Step 1. Add the Starter Sourdough to the recipe
The use of natural yeast starter sourdough usually makes the bread taste more sour, not easy to mold, and last longer.
Step 2. Make bread with a denser texture
Bread that is densely textured with a crisp skin will last longer, for example Italian bread. Add flour to the dough to increase its density and add steam while the bread is baking with the help of a spray bottle so that the crust is crispy.
Step 3. Add natural preservatives
Using natural preservatives such as lecithin or ascorbic acid can help keep the bread moist while reducing the amount of yeast and mold. Ingredients like garlic, cinnamon, honey, or cloves also naturally fight mold growth, but will obviously have a big impact on the taste of the bread itself.
Tips
- Bread that tastes stale can still be saved by baking it again in the oven. Baking stale bread can restore some of its flavor, but this process can only be done once.
- To keep partially sliced bread fresh for a few hours or a day, place the cut pieces on a cutting board and store the bread out in the open.
Warning
- Don't sniff moldy bread as it can cause breathing problems.
- Don't eat moldy bread.
