Meri Rose from Cerce Piccola, an incredible passion for baked goods in a small village in Molise.
To her - who has won several awards with her bakery - we asked for some good advice on how to best preserve bread. Of course, we are talking about "good bread," perhaps made with less refined flours or using whole grains or coarser grains that tend to keep freshness longer compared to bread made with refined flours due to the higher amount of fibers and natural oils in whole grains, which help preserve the moisture of the bread.
"It’s better to specify," - says Meri Rose - "because nowadays it's easy to find bread of poor quality or even worse, bread that has already been frozen and then thawed in many supermarkets... and in that case, all good advice won't help!"
Here are the six "tricks" (plus 1) that she advises her customers every day, and also us:
1. Proper storage: Bread should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Avoid leaving it exposed to moisture or direct sunlight, as both can negatively affect its freshness. Also, avoid the refrigerator. For example, do not store bread above the gas stove to prevent cooking moisture from reaching the bread.
2. For storage, use a paper or cloth bag: avoiding plastic containers, as moisture can accumulate, promoting mold growth. It is better to use a paper or cloth bag to wrap the bread, allowing for slight air circulation that helps keep the crust crispy.
3. Use a clean, dry linen cloth, ensuring you completely protect the crust to wrap the bread and keep it fresh. The linen cloth will help retain the moisture of the bread, preserving its freshness just like cloth or paper.
4. Bread in a bread box: who doesn't remember grandmothers' kitchens with the bread box? This type of container offers good protection against moisture and air, keeping the bread fresh longer. Make sure the bread box is clean and dry before placing the bread inside.
5. An old trick is to place a slice of apple in the bag or container where you store the bread. The apple releases some moisture, which can help keep the bread soft and fresh for a longer period. Be sure to check the apple regularly and replace it if it starts to deteriorate.
6. Did you buy a lot? No problem, freeze the bread. If you do not plan to consume all the bread within a few days, you might consider freezing it. Cut the bread into slices or smaller portions, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags, and place it in the freezer. Frozen bread maintains its freshness well and can be thawed as needed.
7. Heat the bread before using it. The oldest trick in the world, warmed bread is always the best bread there is: place the bread on parchment paper and put it in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 5-10 minutes. This will help regenerate the moisture and make the crust crispy again!
Stale bread? No problem, actually! If the bread becomes a bit dry or stale, you can use it to prepare other recipes, some of which are very famous (think of pappa al pomodoro or bread cake).
Try the good bread, discover our selection of fresh bread!
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