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You've caught an important detail- that it molds once you've opened the bag- but only if you leave it there in after. Bread boxes are one of those relics that
by washadjeffmad 6y ago
You've caught an important detail- that it molds once you've opened the bag- but only if you leave it there in after.
Bread boxes are one of those relics that faded into obscurity after the mid-century in the US, often becoming homes to all the other things you didn't know what to do with on your counters, but they used to serve an important role in keeping bread fresh and protected.
When we switched from formed dough breads to inexpensive batter loaves (the ostensible wonder of "Wonder Bread" was that it didn't have any air pockets... because it was poured into the molds), the lack of hearty crust and reliance on high moisture meant its quality quickly degraded in the open air, making it poorly suited to the former storage. However, if you bake a traditional American sandwich loaf, the best way to keep its texture and preserve it is to leave it only lightly covered so moisture doesn't accumulate and invite mold or make the crust lose its crispness.
So, if you want your bread to last (if indeed it is bread), don't stick it back in the bag to turn into a terrarium. Let it breathe and dehumidify some, and it will last until it dries completely. Better a little dry than moldy, right?
- marton78 6y agoBeing an obviously little short sighted European, it blows my mind that 1) bread boxes are not used everywhere and 2) it's not common knowledge that bread will get moldy when stored in a plastic bag. Happens even in temperate climate.
- calvinmorrison 6y agoShort sighted again as huge parts of the world sit at 25+ C and 75%+ humidity for months on end
- Scoundreller 6y agoAlso depends on your bread. Supermarket bread likely has mold inhibitors in it that probably aren't used in bakery breads intended for quick consumption. Or as my EU relatives do: clear out their stock and freeze a couple week's at a time. https://www.google.com/search?q=mold+inhibitors+in+bread https://www.google.com/search?q=mold+inhibitors+in+bread
- nsxwolf 6y agoI had bread boxes growing up, but I always remember them smelling strongly of mold. Maybe we were neglecting them and using them improperly, but I now have this association in my mind that a breadbox makes mold worse.
- justincormack 6y agoThey mustn't be fully sealed.
- Moru 6y agoIn case you don't have a bread box: After bringing home the bread in a paper bag, put it on a cutting board with the cut side down. Pull over the paper bag. This is offcourse for real bakery bread, not the industry rubber bread that comes presliced.
- wrycoder 6y ago^this I don’t bother with the bag, just keep the cut sides down. When you slice the loaf, start in the middle and work towards the ends. That way, the halves don’t fall over. The bread remains edible for two days, especially sourdough. (I’m talking about homemade bread here, not the white fluff.) Slice any remainder before it gets too stiff. Turn a few slices into croutons. Fry the slices and croutons in olive oil on the following two days. You also generate crumbs for breading: just use a rolling pin or bottle on the dried bread. This way, plan on baking twice a week. It’s also possible to make up a batch of dough once a week and freeze half.
- selimthegrim 6y agoI believe the Spanish have a fish stew with stale bread as an ingredient whose name I can’t recall atm
- bobthepanda 6y agoBread pudding is also nice for stale bread.
- washadjeffmad 6y agoWe make croutons or baked French toast depending on how much is left. For baguettes or batards, I'll make molletes (bean toast) with pico de gallo after they've dried beyond regular use.
- lostlogin 6y agoThe Chorleywood process which industrialised bread making is credited by some with destroying bread as a staple and replacing it with tasteless and nutrition free alternative. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/apr/16/recipes.foodanddrink https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyl...
- abdullahkhalids 6y agoNon-amp link https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/apr/16/recipes.foodanddrink https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/apr/16/recipes...