How to store bread properly to keep it soft for longer: effective tips.

The first sign that bread is losing its freshness is a change in its texture. Over time, it becomes hard and dry. If there is no mold on it, such bread can still be consumed, although it won't taste as good. Express.co explains how to store bread so that it remains soft and tasty for a longer period.

Sophie Carey, the business development manager at Matthews Cotswold Flour, shared some essential rules for storing bread. She discussed places where bread should not be stored, as it can compromise its taste and freshness.

“Bread should never be stored in the refrigerator. Although the cool temperature slows down mold growth, refrigeration speeds up staling, making bread inedible much faster than it would mold. This happens because the starch in the bread recrystallizes when cooled,” Sophie Carey noted.

Instead, she recommends freezing bread, but advises wrapping it twice in cling film and then adding a layer of foil: this will help prevent damage in the freezer and keep its fresh taste.

A great way to refresh frozen bread is to let it thaw at room temperature and then spray it with a small amount of water before baking it at 180°C for 10 minutes. According to the expert, after this, the bread will taste as fresh as it did on the day you bought it.

Besides the freezer, an ideal storage place is an airtight bread box on the counter, rather than a plastic bag.

“Keeping bread fresh means storing it at a stable cool temperature, as far away from direct sunlight and pests as possible,” Sophie Carey explained.

An airtight container prevents the growth of additional bacteria that turn it moldy, while a stable temperature and humidity help prevent the bread from staling.

The expert also advises against storing bread directly in a plastic bag. A plastic bag traps moisture, creating an environment conducive to mold growth. With proper storage, bread can remain fresh for 3-5 days.