Picture this: you have an entire afternoonfreshly baked bread. You put your heart and soul into fermenting, kneading and caring for the bread until it was baked to perfection. The last thing you want is for the loaf to go stale before you can share it with friends and family. Bread really only lasts two or three days before it goes stale or even moldy. If you want to make any bread last as long as possible, you should freeze it. Below we will explain to you how to properly freeze bread and then defrost it.
How long does bread last?
It depends on what type of bread it is and how it is stored. Bread is best stored at room temperature or in the freezer. If you keep your bread in the fridge, it will actually go bad faster.
Packaged bread from the supermarket (stored tightly in the original packaging and at room temperature) should last three to seven days beyond the printed best-before date. Homemade bread and bread bought from the bakery probably won't last as long - it usually no longer lasts after about two or three days. This is how long bread lasts in the freezer:
- Whole bread: 4-6 months
- Sliced bread: 1-3 months
- Small pastries: 2-4 months.
The fresher the bread is when frozen, the longer it will last in the freezer.
Freezing bread: in which packaging is best?
plastic bag
You should make sure that the bread is sealed as airtight as possible. The best option here is a freezer or plastic bag: simply wrap the bread and remove the air from the bag.
Double packaging
Step 1: Prepare your bread
When you bake your bread, let it cool completely. This will prevent it from becoming damp or moldy. Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap. Then wrap it in aluminum foil. Double packaging is your secret weapon for freshness.
A good tip: slice your bread before freezing it. This way you don't have to thaw and refreeze the whole loaf every time you want a slice or two.
Step 2: Put it in the freezer
Always label your bread with the date before freezing it. Frozen bread should be used within six months. If left for a long time, the bread can get freezer burn.
Other alternatives
A good onePossibility of freezingof bread are freezer containers or containers made of glass or stainless steel. Plastic containers are not recommended.
A particularly environmentally friendly alternative is the fabric bag. You can use a simple cotton fabric bag multiple times. This is where bread can be frozen in whole loaves or in slices. The cloth bag also works well if you let the bread pop in it by absorbing excess liquid.
Paper bags are also not recommended: you can only freeze bread in them for a few days (for example over the weekend). However, remove it from the paper bag to defrost.
Tips for proper defrosting
There are certain things you should keep in mind when defrosting. The slower the bread defrosts, the better. If you find that your frozen bread has been sitting in the freezer for too long, don't worry. Some dry or stale bread is idealfor French toastoder Croutons.
There's no need to defrost frozen bread if you're impatient and want to toast it - just pop a slice straight into the toaster. You may need to turn the dial to a slightly higher setting than when toasting fresh bread and toast the slices for a few seconds longer than fresh bread. The microwave is another option for defrosting.
Frozen bread takes some time to thaw. One to three hours is enough at room temperature. You can also let the frozen bread you want to use thaw on the counter overnight. A cloth can absorb excess liquid. Then it's ready for breakfast the next day. After defrosting, you can bake the bread briefly in the oven so that it tastes like it was freshly baked and is eaten warm. Moisten the bread with a little water and then bake it in the oven at 200 ° C for about 3-5 minutes.
Freezing bread: can it be harmful?
If you notice light spots anywhere on the bread slices, it could already be freezer burn. Freezer burn does not make the bread harmful to your health. It is still edible, but often no longer edible. In contrast to freezer burn, mold is fundamentally dangerous to health and the bread should therefore be disposed of completely.
Cold doesn't kill all dangerous compounds, but it does prevent them from growing. The moment you defrost a loaf of bread, the microorganisms “awaken” to the detriment of your health. A small examination that can determine whether your bread is fresh or spoiled will not be superfluous. Don't hesitate to throw away the bread if it is covered in green, black, white, or pink spots. If there are no visible signs of mold, but you suspect overtime, it's a good idea to sniff the bread.
Don't make the mistake of refreezing a loaf of bread once you've taken it out of the freezer. Some molds produce metabolites that secrete dangerous toxins when consumed or inhaled, which can cause digestive problems. You can also check the microbiotaaffect your intestinesand even destroy. Therefore, there is a risk of a weakened immune system and possible illness.
