How to Keep Loaves of Store-Bought Whole Grain Bread Fresher Longer

When I was growing up, we simply kept our bread in the cupboard. That worked for us because we were a family of bread eaters. Bread never got a chance to become dry or stale. Years later when I started my own household, I didn't want to waste cupboard space. So I bought a bread box. After awhile I got tired of finding dried-out or moldy bread when I opened the box. I then decided it was time for a better idea. Now our bread often keeps past its expiration date. Read this informative article and find out how to keep loaves of store-bought whole grain bread fresher longer.

1. The Original Plastic Wrappers Work Well
I leave the bread in its original wrapper. As long as the end is kept tightly closed in between uses, plastic bread wrappers do a good job of keeping its contents fresh. I have to add that, sometimes we go through a lot of bread quickly, especially if the family is here. Other times, we eat on the same loaf of whole grain bread for a few weeks.

2. Leave the Heels/Crusts Until the Rest of the Loaf Is Gone
Not everyone likes them, but I like eating the heel, or the crusts, of a loaf of bread. Whenever we open a new loaf of whole grain bread, we reach past the heel, or the top crust. Then we take the next slice of bread out. We keep doing this until the loaf is gone and we end up with two heels or crusts. Why don't we eat the top crust first thing? Because, by leaving it in place against the loaf of whole grain bread, it helps hold in the freshness and the moisture.

3. Close the Plastic Bread Wrapper Up Tightly After Each Use
To keep loaves of whole grain bread fresher longer, gently squeeze out as much air as you can from the wrapper (without squishing the loaf). Then, place your thumb and forefinger around the end of the plastic
wrapper, as close as possible to the remaining bread. Twirl the end around a few times and fold the end under the loaf.

4. Store Whole Grain Loves of Bread in the Refrigerator
This is where Bread.com and I disagree. Maybe they're referring to white bread, but they didn't specify. According to that website, putting bread in a refrigerator (at about 41 degrees Fahrenheit) is "equivalent to three days at room temperature." I know from experience that storing my whole grain loaves of bread in the refrigerator keeps them fresher than setting them on a counter. I never find dried-out or moldy bread in the wrappers.

Resources
Kassidy Emmerson
http://www.bread.com/content/keeping-bread-fresh