What's a bread bag? Does it work? (2024)

FAQs

What's a bread bag? Does it work? ›

Absolutely! Storing your bread in plastic means that the crust gets spongy and the bread goes mouldy quickly. Storing it in paper, means it turns into one big crouton! Stored in a linen bread bag, the bread stays fresh for up to 5 days!

Linen bags are the perfect way to store bread because they are breathable, yet tightly closed. It seems a bit unlikely, I know, but it really does work.

Bread bags do this through: Being breathable, allowing air to circulate, but not so much that the bread dries out too quickly. Attracting and trapping just the right amount of moisture to keep the bread soft and fluffy, without becoming soggy and mouldy.

If you plan on devouring it right away, then keeping it in a paper bag on the counter is the move. While storing in plastic seems like the right idea, this actually encourages mold growth, resulting in the bread going bad much faster.

But too much air will make the bread go stale quickly. Consider keeping these bags airtight as best you can. Then there's the bread box: it balances moisture and air circulation.

If your family goes through a ton of bread and baked goods, a huge bread box can help keep more bread fresh longer, saving trips to the grocery store. But for a smaller household that only uses a loaf or two a week, a smaller bread box is just fine and can save valuable room in a tight kitchen.

To offset this, some paper bread bags are actually lined to reduce moisture loss. The lining is usually made of some kind of synthetic or plastic product. This defeats the point of using paper since the bag is now not recyclable and is thrown away.

Plastic bags can cause the bread to spoil faster: Storing bread in a plastic bag can help it spoil faster due to the lack of air circulation. Bacteria and mold thrive in damp, poorly-ventilated environments, and a plastic bag provides the perfect breeding ground for these unwanted organisms.

Paper bags, kitchen towels, and plastic bags

Plain paper bags and kitchen towels also work very well to keep the bread from drying excessively. And while many sources say never to use a plastic bag, sometimes it might be necessary, especially if your climate demands it.

To ensure the bread has maximum contact with the fabric instead of air, the bag should be formed around the bread with the empty portion wrapped around the rest of the bag and tied with the strings. Rolls and buns can be put in the bag together with bread, that way sharing the moisture and lasting longer.

What to use in place of a bread bag? ›

Using a cloth bag (either 100% cotton or linen), helps to preserve the quality of your bread and also offers an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags.

Bread might go stale ASAP when it's refrigerated, but freezing it is actually one of the best ways to extend its shelf life. Freezing your bread will prevent mold growth and stop staleness in its tracks.

If you have soft, enriched bread like challah, brioche, or pain de mie, and you know you're going to eat it within two to three days, then plastic is your best bet. If it's going to take longer than that, then you should freeze it (also in plastic). Wrapping bread in foil works, too, as it is airtight.

Fresh bread, whether made at home or purchased from a bakery can be delicious, but only really lasts for the day before going stale. It can be used for toast the day after but unfortunately loses its freshness very quickly when left out in the open. Vacuum sealing it can allow it to stay fresh for up to a week.

Plain paper bags and kitchen towels also work very well to keep the bread from drying excessively. And while many sources say never to use a plastic bag, sometimes it might be necessary, especially if your climate demands it.

To anyone who bakes their own sourdough, congrats — and make sure you get yourself a bread bin because you absolutely need one for your loaves. The dark and dry interior of the bin will protect your baked efforts from a quick death allowing you to savor them for a little longer. All baked goods are fair game.