Why bread should not be stored in the refrigerator: 3 good reasons

What kind of bread can not be stored in the refrigerator

Very often, housewives bake bread at home on their own, and then send it for long-term storage in refrigerator or freezer

In this case, it is important to remember that it is possible to put bakery products in the cold only after they have completely cooled down. Warm bread, of course, will freeze, but after defrosting it will no longer be suitable for food.

Also cannot be stored in the refrigerator or freezing bread that has already been exposed to mold. Low temperatures will no longer save the situation. In addition, mold (bread fungus) can also infect other foods that are in close proximity to baked goods.

How to properly store bread at home so that it does not get moldy

Two factors are important for the active development of mold: heat and moisture. The storage conditions for bread and bakery products are as follows:

• cleanliness of the premises (no mold, pests);
• dry air (humidity not higher than 75%);
• the temperature is not lower than +6 degrees.

Excess moisture is the main enemy of baking. Therefore, a hot freshly baked loaf cannot be kept in a plastic bag or placed in a closed bread box. This is true for both store and home baking. The fragrant “brick” from the bread machine should be removed from the machine immediately after the end of the process, cooled at room temperature, and only then hidden for storage. This will provide a crispy crust to the product. If the “brick” is left in a metal container after baking, it will go limp due to condensation and will not crunch.

To keep bread fresh for a long time, these factors should be taken into account and the place where the pastries are stored should be kept clean. Another trick: homemade products will stay soft longer if you add eggs, vegetable or butter, milk to the dough. The richer the composition of the roll, the slower it stale.

How long can bread be stored at home

The shelf life of rye flour bread without packaging is 36 hours, and for wheat flour baking - 24 hours. If the product is purchased in packaged form, then its shelf life (before opening) is written on the label, it can be 72 hours. Simple yeast-free bread without additives remains soft for 3 days. It does not make sense to save it longer: it will become stale or moldy.

If the pastries start to dry out, it is best to make crackers out of it, which will then be useful for minced meat or chopped for breading.

Where to store bread in the kitchen

Baking is able to absorb various aromas, so it cannot be stored at home near products with a strong smell: tea, coffee, spices, and even more so next to fish, smoked meats. It is best to allocate a separate place for these purposes.

In a small kitchen the locker can be hung on the wall, but not above the stove or radiator. If the dimensions of the table allow, then it is allowed to put a bread box directly on it. The refrigerator is not suitable, there the products will quickly deteriorate.

What material to use to store bread

Freshly baked bread should never be placed in airtight materials, it must first be cooled down. To keep it fresh for a long time, you should wrap it in a natural material: a linen or cotton towel. When washing, they need to be rinsed well so that there is no powder left. A very convenient option is a fabric bag.

A paper bag is also breathable, but it is disposable. In it, as in a towel, you can even wrap hot pastries, it will not be covered with condensation. It is permissible to save food in a plastic container only if ventilation is provided in it.

Black and white - together or separately?

Products made from different flours deteriorate differently. Black bread, due to the specific composition of proteins and the fact that it is sour, dries out more slowly. It is more resistant to mold, potato stick. In addition, black bread has more moisture.

Therefore, it is better to keep products made from wheat and rye flour separately: in different compartments, bags. For storage, loaves are always placed in one row so that air circulates well.

Which food should not be placed in the refrigerator?

In no case should you put baked goods on which there are already traces of mold in the cold, there is a risk of its spread to other products. Hot pastries are also locked up, as they can adversely affect the operation of the compressor and even disable it.

In addition, freshly baked bread has a high moisture content of about 50%, and rapid cooling will cause moisture to be lost more quickly, causing the bread to quickly become stale. And if the hot product is also wrapped in an impervious package, moisture will settle on the walls of the package and provoke the rapid appearance of mold and spoilage.

The slower the moisture evaporates, the longer the bread stays fresh.

Everyone chooses the way to store pastries. It can be a refrigerator, a bread box, a saucepan or a canvas bag - whatever is more convenient for you. All methods are good, subject to a number of necessary nuances.

However, the best option is not to buy pastries for the future and eat a fresh product that has just hit the shelves. Or bake it yourself. Then the question of how to preserve the properties of bread will disappear by itself. Well, if you still sometimes have stale products, you can cook croutons from them or feed them to birds and homeless animals.

From the video you will learn whether it is possible to store bread in the refrigerator or freezer:

How to soften stale bread

The main feature of the change in bread during storage is its hardening, which occurs due to the evaporation of moisture from the finished product. How to make stale bread soft?

If stored incorrectly, the bread begins to stale after 10-12 hours. In this case, the taste and aroma of the product is lost.

It is quite possible to refresh it and with the help of simple ways to give it softness again.

In order to refresh stale bread and make it soft again, it should be warmed up. This can be done in the microwave, oven, in a frying pan, with some tricks.

In the oven.

To do this, lightly sprinkle water on a stale loaf and place it in the oven at a temperature of 150 ° C for 5 minutes. The restoration of freshness for rye bread will last 6-9 hours, for wheat bread - 4-5 hours.

You can refresh stale bread by wrapping it in food foil in advance, in which case the exposure time increases - at a temperature of 160-180 degrees it will be 10-15 minutes. Be sure to let the bread cool slightly before removing it from the foil.

in the microwave

This method is considered the fastest and most effective, it is more suitable for bread in slices - the thickness of the slices for softening in the microwave should be about 2 centimeters.

• Sprinkle, a little, stale pieces with water and place in the oven for a maximum of 60 seconds, in addition, in the microwave, you can place a saucer or a glass of warm water next to the bread. It is better to check the condition of the slices every 15 seconds - otherwise you can overdry them, making them even tougher.In addition, it is advisable to cover with a special microwave lid made of plastic to reduce the effect of evaporation.
• Moisten a paper towel in cool water, squeeze out excess moisture from it and wrap the dried bread, which is then placed in the microwave together with the towel for 10-20 seconds.

For a couple

The easiest option is softening in a double boiler or slow cooker. It is necessary to withstand stale bread in the operating mode of the double boiler for 1-2 minutes. If there is no double boiler or multicooker, then you can use a regular pan. You need to place dry slices or a whole piece of bread in a colander and place it over a pot of boiling water

It is important that the water does not touch the bread, otherwise it will turn into a mushy mass. After keeping the stale pieces for 5-7 minutes, quite soft slices of bread are obtained.

Constant monitoring of the process is required, otherwise the product may absorb excess moisture, and then the bread will have to be dried.

in a frying pan

This method can hardly be called effective, although it may well take place. Stale bread, just as in the case of the oven and microwave, should be slightly moistened with water and then put on a dry frying pan heated over low heat and let stand from 1 to 5 minutes.

Store bread properly, do not buy a lot of it so that it does not stale. And if it so happened that the product is still stale, you need to make sure that there are no other signs of spoilage and soften it using any of the proposed methods.

08 Apr 2018
The keeper
   
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Rules for storing bakery products

How to save?

It is necessary to use the refrigerator very carefully, it is important to take into account the features of this product, which affect its taste and freshness.At low temperatures, bread is best kept in a plastic bag with holes. You can take a fabric bag or paper packaging, which will reliably protect products from unwanted odors and maintain optimal humidity.

You can take a fabric bag or paper packaging, which will reliably protect products from unwanted odors and maintain optimal humidity.

Some people put a pinch of salt wrapped in gauze in the bag, which will keep the bread from mold bacteria, even if the refrigerator stops working for some reason.

Savings terms: how much is acceptable?

The shelf life of bread depends on the temperature maintained in the refrigerator. On the top shelf, it will lie quietly for about three weeks, and in the freezer for several months.

What does this period depend on?

The shelf life depends on several factors:

1. Package. In an effort to delay the expiration date, manufacturers pack the product in paper, polyethylene, and film. Indeed, this method retains the quality much longer, the bread does not get stale. It also makes it possible to guarantee the consumer compliance with the hygienic rules of transportation and storage on the store shelf. But even in this form, a natural product should be used in a week.
2. Compound. Preservative substances effectively increase the time of use, high concentrations - up to several months. Bread does not grow moldy, but there is no need to talk about the benefits and naturalness. In addition, yeast-free is good for longer. Burgers spoil faster.
3. Kind of flour. The ingredient that undergoes the least processing, that is, coarse grinding, retains freshness longer, does not allow mold to multiply.
4. Conditions of detention that do not comply with the regulations significantly reduce the shelf life. Mold growth is facilitated by high humidity and temperature fluctuations.
5. Manufacturing technology also matters. If sanitary rules are not followed, the leaven is not aged, the baking temperature is too high or too low, the result will be too wet or dry. The first option will reduce, the second - will increase the preservation of the presentation, consumer properties.

The American product Harrys has a record long shelf life. It can be stored up to 2 months. This result can be easily explained: plastic packaging keeps it from exposure to ambient air, bacteria, and personnel touches.

It also contains potassium propianate and edible alcohol, which prevent mold from growing. It is clear that the manufacturer sacrifices useful properties and natural ingredients to extend the implementation time.

Other varieties spoil much faster. This is due to the settling and reproduction of moldy fungi. They are present in the surrounding air, on pieces of furniture, dishes, so an unpacked bun will inevitably collide with them.

The crumb is a fertile soil for vital activity, reproduction of microorganisms. After only a few days, it is already completely ruined.

Rules for storing bakery products

How to save?

It is necessary to use the refrigerator very carefully, it is important to take into account the features of this product, which affect its taste and freshness. At low temperatures, bread is best kept in a plastic bag with holes.You can take a fabric bag or paper packaging, which will reliably protect products from unwanted odors and maintain optimal humidity.

You can take a fabric bag or paper packaging, which will reliably protect products from unwanted odors and maintain optimal humidity.

Some people put a pinch of salt wrapped in gauze in the bag, which will keep the bread from mold bacteria, even if the refrigerator stops working for some reason.

Savings terms: how much is acceptable?

The shelf life of bread depends on the temperature maintained in the refrigerator. On the top shelf, it will lie quietly for about three weeks, and in the freezer for several months.

Where to store?

Each hostess has her own approach to this issue. Most use beautiful bread bins (wooden, metal or plastic). Some adhere to grandmother's methods and wrap loaves in natural fabrics (linen or canvas). Many people store bread in plastic bags.

To say that one way is correct and the other is not is not worth it - it's all relative. Here you should take into account the volume of bakery products and the period for which storage is meant. In any case, bakery products should not be stored for more than 3 days. Although bread keeps well in the refrigerator for a week. Again, everything will depend on the conditions and compliance with certain rules.

Bread storage rules

Any housewife wants bakery products to be preserved for a long time, without getting stale or moldy, without losing their rich and pleasant taste.For this, optimal storage conditions for bread products are created, taking into account their composition and characteristics.

The main rules include the following:

• initially, it is advisable to cut the bread not from the edge, but from the middle, which leads to an extension of the shelf life, so the products will remain fresh and tasty for a long time;
• it is advisable to store bread not in plastic bread bins, but in linen or canvas: under such conditions, the loaf will be soft for a week;
• if the products are stored in a plastic bag, small holes must be made in it. A separate bag is prepared for each loaf;
• fresh pastries are placed in a deep bowl with a lid, which must be perfectly clean and dried;
• to increase the shelf life of baking, it is advisable to put a fresh apple or a piece of potato next to it.

Shelf life of bread: what factors affect the shelf life

Potrebiteli.Guru > Products > Shelf life > Bread shelf life: what factors affect the shelf life

The assortment of bread and bakery products in the stores is wide.

Unfortunately, not all manufacturers conscientiously indicate all the necessary information on the packaging: batch number, production date, end date and expiration date.

What affects storage time

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The shelf life of bakery products depends on:

1. Packaging. GOST R 53072 - 2008 obliges to pack bread. Paper, bags, cellophane are used as packaging. The advantage of this method is hygiene and increased storage time. For example, rye bread should be stored for no more than 5 days, and loaves for up to six months.
2. Composition. Without proper packaging, bread will quickly go stale. For a long loaf - a day, black bread - 36 hours, white - 45 hours, rye - no more than 12 days. Therefore, at the bakery, manufacturers add preservatives, thickeners and emulsifiers, which lengthen the life cycle. Taking care of your health and the health of your relatives, it is not recommended to buy bread with a shelf life of more than 2 weeks. And ideally, it is better to cook bread at home.

How to store

The shelf life begins to count from the moment the product leaves the oven.

Optimal storage conditions are around 25°C at 75% humidity in a dry and ventilated area.

It is important to know: if the conditions are not met, the bread becomes stale, it may become moldy. Suitable for storage:

Suitable for storage:

• Natural fabrics. For example, linen or cotton towels. They perfectly pass air and bread during such storage will never get moldy;
• Paper bags. They provide a long shelf life and a crispy crust. The main thing is not to close tightly;

Tip: Bakery products should not be stored in purchased plastic packaging.

• Polyethylene packaging. Bread should be transferred to a new bag, leaving holes for ventilation. To avoid the formation of condensation and mold;
• Breadbox. It should be regularly treated with a solution of vinegar and dried thoroughly;
• Fridge. Low temperatures protect against mold.The disadvantage of such storage may be the temporary rigidity of the product. But at room temperature, the properties will be restored;
• Enameled pots and plastic containers. With this method, ventilation and a dry place for storage are required.

For long-term storage of bread, it is worth cutting it in half. After cutting off the required amount, connect the halves and put in a storage place.

Implementation timeline

The timing of the sale of bread products in the store depends on the type of flour:

• 36 hours from rye or rye-wheat;
• day from wheat;
• 16 hours for products weighing no more than 200 gr.;
• 72 hours for rich bread in a package.

When buying bread in the store, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• the crust should be glossy with a slight sheen without burnt areas;
• soft to the touch;
• surface without cracks;
• the smell is pleasant.

Expired bread is most often returned to the manufacturer, who grinds it to a crumb state. After sifting and receiving breadcrumbs.

At home, expired bread can be eaten only if it is free of mold and other fungi. In addition to visual inspection, the presence of mold can also be detected by smell. If mold is found, the bread should be thrown away, and the storage area should be disinfected.

For interesting facts about bread, see the following video:

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How to store bread at home

“Bread is the head of everything”, “Bread and water is healthy food”, “There is no dinner without bread” - Russian proverbs about bread demonstrate a respectful and reverent attitude towards this valuable product.Bread was called "father" and "breadwinner", and a house that did not smell of baking was considered poor.

Bread was worshiped like the sun, and in ancient times it replaced gold. People have always carefully kept bread, a symbol of prosperity and prosperity, trying not to get moldy and stale, since throwing away the “father” and “breadwinner” was considered a great sin.

Many ways to properly store bread came to us from Ancient Russia, so why not use them?

How to store bread at home?

Our ancestors wrapped bread in a linen towel or linen cloth - this way it retained its freshness and taste for a long time.

Some housewives knew special secrets on how best to store bread so that not a crumb was lost.

They would put the loaf in white cloth or paper to keep it soft and tender all week, so every family would always have fresh baked goods without the daily hassle of the oven.

How long can you keep bread without using cloth and paper?

• A great way is a plastic bag in which holes are made, but it is not recommended to use the bag a second time. Bread wrapped in cellophane stays soft for five days.
• Fresh pastries can be stored in a tightly closed pan if you put an apple in it - in this case, fragrant and fluffy buns will delight you for at least 2-3 days.
• Cut the bread not from the edge, but from the middle, and then connect the two halves with slices - this is one of the most effective ways to keep the bread fresh and tasty.

How to store bread in a bread box?

Our grandmothers knew where to store bread in the kitchen - in the bread box, of course, since no plastic bags can replace this valuable kitchen gadget.

Breadbaskets are made of plastic, wood and stainless steel, and the best material for them is metal, because it has good thermal properties and does not absorb odors.

Plastic is not durable, and a wooden bread box must be carefully looked after so that it does not become damp.

For this reason, it is recommended to buy a bread bin with two or three sections, and if you have a regular model, then keep the bread in plastic bags. It is advisable to remove crumbs from the breadbasket every day, and once a week it should be washed and dried well.

Putting a small piece of sugar, an apple wedge or a peeled potato into the bread box can reduce the humidity and prolong the life of the bread.

Can bread be stored in the refrigerator?

If you bought a lot of bread or need to go away for a few days, you can safely leave the bread in the refrigerator. At low temperatures, pastries are not subject to mold and remain fresh for a long time, if you follow some rules.

In the refrigerator, it is better to store bread in a plastic bag with holes, in a cloth bag or paper packaging, which reliably protects products from foreign aromas and maintains optimal humidity.

If you put a pinch of salt in cheesecloth in each bag, it will not become a “prey” for mold bacteria, even if the refrigerator is turned off. For the freezer, it is better to cut the bread into pieces and pack in portions in foil.

It is strongly not recommended to store bakery products that have already begun to deteriorate in the refrigerator, otherwise the fungus will spread to other products. Also not worth putting in the fridge hot baked goods as the compressor may fail.

It is best to store bread wrapped in a linen napkin in a juniper or birch bark, as these materials are excellent natural antiseptics.

Try not to buy or bake bread for future use, and then there will be no problems where to get fresh and tasty pastries every day.

Is the freezer suitable for this?

Also, the cold prevents the evaporation of moisture, which has a beneficial effect on the quality of the product. It is believed that bread can remain fresh in the freezer for three to five months, but a number of conditions must be observed in order not to spoil it.

How to keep in the freezer?

1. The loaf should be divided into portions needed for one meal, as it is not recommended to re-freeze the bread.
2. The product should be tightly wrapped in foil, cling film, polypropylene packaging or parchment.
3. Remove the packaging only after complete defrosting.
4. It is better to freeze fresh bread in order to get the same after (stale will remain stale even after freezing).
5. Take out two hours before use, as you need to defrost at room temperature.

Risks of eating expired bread

While some types of mold may be safe to eat, it's impossible to tell which fungus is causing the mold on your bread. Therefore, it is better not to eat moldy bread, as it can damage your health.

The most common forms of mold on bread are:

• Rhizopus
• Penicillium
• Aspergillus
• Mucor
• Fusarium

Some types of mold produce mycotoxins, which are poisons that can be dangerous if ingested or inhaled.Mycotoxins can spread through the whole loaf, so if you see mold on one side of the bread, you need to throw the whole loaf away.

Mycotoxins can cause stomach upset and cause digestive problems. They can also kill gut bacteria, which can lead to a weakened immune system and an increased risk of disease.

What's more, some mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, can increase your risk of certain cancers if you eat large amounts.

? 4 main reasons

? Keeping bread in the refrigerator is not recommended for a number of reasons:

1. Foreign odors from other foods, especially meat and fish. Baking has such a structure that it instantly absorbs odors from the external environment.
2. The presence of yeast in baking can spoil the taste of nearby products.
3. Mold risk. Often bread is purchased in sealed packages for future use. When placed in the refrigerator, it will quickly become moldy due to the increased level of moisture. If even a little mold has appeared on the bread, then this will lead to infection of other products.
4. Warm, freshly baked bread can damage the compressor. The escaping steam creates condensation and spoils other products.

? Video - where is the best place to store bread so that it stays fresh for a long time