A loaf of bread is perfect for whipping up a quick sandwich or satisfying that craving for buttery toast. However, it can be quite disappointing to find your bread has turned stale before you’ve had the chance to savour it.
This is especially true during warmer weather when the moisture within the bread tends to evaporate faster, causing it to harden or dry out prematurely.
However, food storage specialists at Green Wraps have revealed an incredibly simple trick to keep your bread fresh: store it with a stick of celery. This solution is a bit unorthodox, but this humble vegetable, being high in water content, can help rehydrate your bread as it starts to dry out.
What’s more, this is also a cost-effective solution with major supermarkets such as Aldi, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s selling celery for 75p at time of writing.
The expert explained: “The unique properties of celery make it an interesting candidate for preserving bread. One of the most remarkable properties of celery is its high water content, which is about 95 per cent of its weight.
“By placing one or two celery stems inside a bread bag, the moisture within the stems can be transferred to the surrounding environment.”
Besides preventing staleness, celery’s natural antibacterial compounds like phthalates and apigenin also help ward off mould, reports the Express.
Interestingly, celery emits ethylene gas, a plant hormone that aids in fruit ripening, enhancing their flavour. In the case of bread, however, it helps prolong freshness by slowing down starch breakdown, thereby preserving its firm, delicious texture.
If you’re storing your bread at room temperature, place one or two celery stalks next to it. Opt for a bread box, cloth bag or paper bag if possible, as these provide a breathable yet protected environment that helps keep the bread fresh and prevents mould growth.
Avoid storing bread in the supermarket packaging, as plastic traps excessive moisture which can lead to mould.
Keep your bread container away from windows, ovens, or other heat sources, as warmth accelerates the staling process.
Contrary to popular belief, storing bread in the fridge doesn’t preserve its freshness. In fact, it causes the starch to crystallise, making the bread stale faster.
By storing bread with a few celery sticks in a cool spot in your kitchen, you can extend its freshness by several days or even a week.
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