How Do I Store Bread?

• Our breads do not contain chemical preservatives. Please follow these directions carefully to maximize freshness.
• Store bread at room temperature.
• If you are going to be using the bread for a while, place the loaf on a cutting board/flat surface with the cut side facing down on the surface.
• Once you have finished using the bread, place it inside a closed/sealed paper bag or a breadbox.
• The crust will stay firm and the interior will remain soft using this technique.
• After 1–2 days, you may choose to transfer the bread to a sealed plastic bag to maximize freshness.
• The best way to store bread is to use a breadbox, preferably made of clay. (Bed, Bath and Beyond offers an affordable bread box.)

How Long Can I Store Bread?

• Wheat and wheat/rye blended bread can generally be stored for 3–4 days.
• Rye and rye/wheat blended bread can generally be stored for 5–7 days.
• In general: rye/dark breads store better than wheat/light breads, bread stays fresher longer in spring/fall/winter than summer (due to high heat and humidity).

How Do I Freeze Bread?

• Freezing allows you to extend the life of your bread, especially during the humid summer months. Some of our customers buy a loaf and freeze half of it right away. This is especially useful if you do not plan to eat all of the bread within 1–2 days.
• Ensure that the bread is completely cool.
• Place bread inside a well-sealed plastic bag. Heavy freezer bags work best.
• Bread can be frozen in this manner for up to 2 weeks.

How Do I Thaw Bread?

• Thaw frozen bread inside the sealed plastic bag at room temperature to minimize moisture loss.
• Thawing takes approximately 1–2 hours.
• Bread that has been frozen and thawed should not be re-frozen.
• Microwaving is not recommended for thawing bread.

How Do I Refresh or Reheat Bread?

• Sprinkle or mist (using a spray bottle) the bread with a little water.
• Place the bread inside a pre-heated oven at approximately 400° Fahrenheit (204° Celsius).
• Heat the bread for 6–8 minutes or until crusty.
• This technique revitalizes the crust. It is most useful with our wheat and wheat/rye blended breads; they generally have lighter crusts than our rye and rye/wheat blended breads.
• Microwaving is not recommended for refreshing/reheating bread.

Special Considerations

• It is generally best not to refrigerate bread.
• However, if your house is very humid (e.g. during the summer without air conditioning), the high humidity will accelerate mildew growth. In this case, refrigeration can be helpful.
• Be aware that this technique will dry out the bread more quickly than storing it at room temperature. It will also soften the crust.

Recommendations and Tips

• Sliced bread dries out much faster than whole loaves.
• Only slice as much bread as you plan to serve within a short time frame.
• We recommend that you invest in a good bread knife (with a serrated blade), especially for slicing rye breads.
• Bread slicers are also very useful. (Bed, Bath and Beyond offers an affordable model.)

Other Questions?

• Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to pass on a tip of your own.