Bread is an excellent and tasty dish that pairs well with other food. Failure to store bread properly can lead to mold growth. We've done extensive research to check if freezing bread can help prevent molds.
Freezing bread can prevent mold. Putting it in the freezer will help reduce humidity, which would otherwise incur mold growth. The optimal temperature in the freezer should be at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17.78 degrees Celsius) to prevent mold from growing on bread.
It might seem challenging to control the growth and spread of mold on bread. Continue reading for the best way to freeze bread and stop mold from emerging. Plus, we'll also share with you other relevant information to help you have more insight into the topic.
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Freezing Bread to Prevent Mold
Bread can be a nutritious way to bring carbohydrates to a healthy diet. As per the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the carbohydrate content of 100g of commercially-prepared white bread is around 49.2g. In turn, getting the recommended amount of carbohydrates may require eating five to six slices of bread per day for a person with a 2,000 daily caloric ceiling. But those nutrients will disappear if mold grows on bread.
Keep in mind that cold temperatures won’t kill mold. Mold spores are microscopic substances that can latch onto bread and other foods when exposed to the elements. Still, individual spores won’t bring harm to the human body when ingested. The problem increases significantly when mold grows and propagates.
Freezing bread at optimal temperatures can help reduce the growth and spread of mold significantly. But it’s still important to do the process properly to make sure mold doesn’t mature on bread. Also, take note that humidity plays a larger role in preventing mold growth than temperature. Mold can still develop at a faster than average rate in the freezer if humidity levels are reasonably high.
How to Prevent Mold from Growing on Bread?
- Keep humidity levels low inside the freezer. Use a hygrometer or similar tool to make sure the humidity doesn’t go over 50%.
- Clean and defrost the freezer frequently. Ice buildup can cause excess moisture.
- Maintain a roughly stable 0-degree Fahrenheit (-17.78 degrees Celsius) temperature in the freezer.
- Like other plants, mold has chlorophyll that requires sunlight for sustenance. Therefore, don’t leave bread outside for extended periods.
How Long Does it Take for Mold to Grow on Bread?
A 2006 report from the California State Science Fair shows the difference in mold growth speed between bread with preservatives and one without. The results of the study showed that bread without preservatives had mold growing after six days. On the other hand, the bread with preservatives took over 27 days for mold to develop.
How do You Store Bread so It Doesn't Mold?
Bread kept at freezing temperatures can prevent mold. It’s also possible to delay mold growth and spread by using other methods. Let's explore those options more:
Bread Box
Bread boxes have the right amount of airflow to keep humidity at normal levels. However, it’s not ideal to keep more than one loaf per bread box as the tight space can increase humidity. Opt to use large bread boxes that can promote better air circulation than others.
Brown Paper Bag
Hard-crusted bread, such as French bread and ciabatta, can be kept in brown paper bags. The opaque material prevents sunlight from entering bread, thereby avoiding molds. It’s possible to keep bread fresh using this method for up to two days.
Location Matters
The kitchen cupboard and drawer are ideal places to store bread. Avoid places like near the dishwasher as the additional moisture buildup can become a catalyst to mold.
Can You Freeze Bread Starting to Mold to Make It Safe?
It's best to throw away bread with mold even if the fungi haven't spread fully. Mold on food won't only make it produce a foul smell, but it'll also increase the risks of health issues, such as asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
Instead of freezing, put the moldy bread in a paper bag and discard it. Place the spoiled food in a covered trash bin so that children and wild animals can’t get to it.
What Causes Mold to Grow on Bread?
Mold is an airborne fungus that can land on bread at any time. But ingesting small traces of this substance won't bring harm to the human body. Stopping mold growth is important to keep food fresh and avoid health issues.
This fungus looks to food sources for nourishment, especially bread. It's because bread is generally high in starch which produces sugars when broken down. These sugars are essential for mold to grow. However, the spores will find it challenging to develop if the bread is in a cool, dark place that's not humid.
What Kills Bread Mold?
Toasting bread is an excellent way to kill bread mold. Allowing bread to bask in temperatures of around 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (60 to 70 degrees Celsius) should be enough to eliminate the fungi. But keep in mind that mold's poison may remain in the bread. Throw the bread away if mold is starting to grow on it.
What is the Best Way to Freeze Store-Bought Bread?
- Cut the loaf of bread into individual slices to preferred sizes.
- Wrap the entire loaf in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Place everything in a tightly sealed plastic bag.
- Put the bag in the freezer.
Slicing will make it easy to take each slice if you don’t want to eat the entire loaf. Also, the tight seal of the bag will help prevent moisture buildup, which would otherwise lead to mold developing and propagating. If stored properly, bread can last up to three months inside the freezer without signs of mold growth.
Another option is to put individual slices into separate wraps and bags. Doing so can help save time and effort in removing the food from the freezer.
How do You Make Homemade Bread Last Longer?
Homemade bread lasts shorter than commercially-made bread because of the lack of preservatives. But it’s still possible to increase the longevity of the dish.
First, choose the ingredients wisely. Some bread recipes have elements that are rich in fat, which can also act as minor preservatives. Aim to use ingredients like butter, eggs, or organic oil to keep homemade bread as fresh as possible for extended periods.
Additionally, let freshly-baked homemade bread cool at room temperature first before storing it in the freezer. Bread stales rapidly when placed inside the freezer right after taking it out of the oven. Also, slice the bread before storing it to help improve its shelf life. This way, air circulates better within each slice, maintaining enough humidity to sustain freshness.
Final Words
Putting bread inside the freezer can help prevent mold and maintain its freshness for extended periods. Make sure that the appliance has sufficient humidity and temperature levels. Otherwise, mold can still grow and spread on the bread. Additionally, clean and defrost the freezer to avoid ice and moisture buildup, which would otherwise be precursors to mold development.
Save yourself the regret of throwing moldy bread by storing it inside the freezer properly. Check out ForFreezing For more tips and tricks on how to freeze other foods
