Where to store your bread during hot weather to keep it fresh

Whether or not your bread stays mainly fresh depends on how well you store it. Throwing away bread is a significant problem, and you should do everything possible to limit it. That’s why it’s essential to know the best place for bread. It may seem obvious, but mistakes happen.

The home kitchen operates differently during hot days. First, heavy and fried foods are not popular. Second, proper food storage becomes a major challenge. On hot days, many food products spoil faster, wilt, and lose their valuable properties. Should you store bread in the refrigerator?

Where to store bread so it doesn’t dry out quickly... In the summer, the refrigerator seems like a better option than the breadbox. And it's not a bad line of thinking. Under "normal" conditions, the refrigerator is not recommended because low temperatures make the bread dry out faster, becoming hard and unpalatable. However, when the kitchen temperature is high, above 25 degrees Celsius – then it's better to put the bread in the cool, i.e., in the refrigerator.

During heatwaves, you can switch the breadbox for the refrigerator. Then, the bread will definitely not mould and will retain its taste properties longer. But it would be best if you remembered to prepare it properly, e.g., by wrapping the loaf or rolls in aluminum foil or a paper towel. The refrigerator is especially effective on hot and humid days. One type of bread can always be stored in the refrigerator: toast bread.

However, treat the refrigerator as an occasional place for bread. When summer days are bearable in terms of temperature and other seasons, it’s much better to keep it in the breadbox or in a linen or cotton bag. The worst choice is always a plastic bag. There is no airflow in it, which leads to moisture buildup. These are ideal conditions for mould to develop, which spreads quickly. Instead of plastic, it’s better to use paper bags, which allow for air circulation. The best temperature for bread is 18-22 degrees Celsius and a dry place.

Breadbox or bag?

The breadbox is the most obvious place for bread. The most important thing is what it’s made of. The best are those made from natural materials, like wood or bamboo. Metal and ceramic options are also good. There is often no space for a breadbox in small kitchens, so linen or cotton bags are ideal. They ensure proper moisture and prevent slices from drying out.