Did you know that you could extend the shelf life of a loaf of bread when you keep it in the freezer, but if you put it in the refrigerator, it would go stale very quickly? Scientists have noticed this strange phenomenon for some time now, and they said this happens because the cold but not yet freezing temperature of a refrigerator can accelerate the crystallization of starch in bread, making it turn hard and stale in a short time. On the other hand, the below freezing temperature of freezers can stop or pause these internal changes in bread, making it last longer than it otherwise would. In general, baking experts say bread can be safely stored for up to 3 months in the freezer without losing freshness. The best way to store bread in the freezer is to wrap it with two layers of plastic, or one layer of plastic and one layer of aluminum foil. These outer layers can protect the loaf from freezer burn, and from cross contamination with other foods. As well, it would be fine to place both home-made and store-bought bread in the freezer. If the bread was freshly taken out of your oven, you’ll need to allow it to cool down completely before storing it in the freezer. Once you are ready to use that loaf of bread, you should let it defrost on the kitchen counter at room temperature for a few hours, then pop it into the oven for a few minutes for a lightly toasted finish. After a loaf is defrosted, it’s best to not put it back into the freezer again because refreezing tends to change the texture and taste of bread.
At Coolmate Rentals, we specialize in providing food business with rental mobile coolers, freezers, and combo cooler and freezer units that range from 6’ to 16’ in size. Our fleet of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers can help your restaurant or bakery preserve the freshness of pastries, breads, and other baked goods. With Mother’s Day celebration coming up in a few weeks, many businesses will be busy preparing for more customer orders. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Coolmate if you need temporary refrigeration rentals for your business. You can rent our cooler freezer units on a daily, weekly, or monthly (and longer) basis. Call us today to learn more, and secure a trailer for your preferred dates.