If you google something like “Can you store bread in the fridge?” you’re going to get a million (or more) links saying do not do it. Storing bread causes the starches to re-crystallize. Yes, that is true but bread can successfully be kept in the fridge.
Nathan Myhrvold of Moderning Bread fame, wrote this article about storing bread in the fridge. He says that yes, freezing bread is the best way to store it. We don’t refrigerate bread to keep it long term. We refrigerate bread to keep it from molding while we eat it. With our kitchen as warm as it is this time of year, bread will get moldy within just a bit more than 24 hours. I bake the bread, and that night, I bag it up and put it in the fridge. We’ll take it out, cut a few slices off for toast the next morning. Then during the day we might take it out, toast it and make a sandwich. The sourdough loaves are gone within 2 – 3 days. In the article, Nathan also says that if bread from the fridge is warmed or toasted, that reverses the starch crystallization.
So, yes, it is ok to refrigerate bread but it isn’t the best method for long term storage.
Stephani in N. TX says
I only purchase sourdough bread. My mother was a star bread baker but years later the yeast was not kind to my digestive system. I keep my loaf in the fridge since I only use it for toast occasionally, dripping with butter of course. So it takes me a bit to use up a loaf. Otherwise, I bake my own baked goods with gluten free flour which I have learned to love, muffins and/or coffee cake with berries, bananas, etc. yummy. Once my bread is toasted it seems to make whatever damage done by plastic in the fridge seems to dissipate. After years of no bread, no toast, I’m so glad I discovered sourdough bread. Glad you enjoy making all the food that you cook. My mother was a hobby pie and bread baker and enjoyed baking.Happy Independence Day.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Are you saying you can’t eat regular bread because of the yeast but the sourdough works for you? If so, I’m happy you discovered that. I love baking pies too but I end up eating way too much if I bake them so I stick to bread and still eat way too much.
RuthW in MD says
Thank you for the information on types of bread and how to store! Sourdough is not a favorite of mine, as it is chewier than I like. But it smells delicious as it bakes!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
And I don’t like a fluffy, soft bread (like the rolls I made yesterday). I much prefer the chewier sourdough. It’s funny and odd how we all like different things.