Whilst we’re all accustomed to monitoring our groceries’ use-by dates, it can frequently feel like a losing battle attempting to ensure food is consumed before the telltale signs emerge that it’s gone past its prime. When it comes to bread specifically, we often find ourselves discarding loaves almost as soon as we’ve purchased them from the shop, reports the Daily Record.
However, in a clip shared on YouTube by BuzzFeed, a straightforward technique was unveiled to help ensure we can still savour our bread even after it has begun to go stale. Requiring only two common kitchen staples, the initial step involves dampening a paper towel. BuzzFeed advised gently wrapping each slice of stale bread in the moist towel before proceeding to the next step.
For the subsequent stage, they suggest placing one slice of bread in the microwave at a time and heating it on the highest setting for 15 seconds. Once finished, the bread should appear and feel much like it did when you originally purchased it – soft, warm, and ready to eat once more.
They also disclosed that the same technique can be utilised to revive other baked goods, including bagels, donuts, and muffins.
Nevertheless, this isn’t the only method that can rescue stale bread.
TheKitchn.com recently shared their “go-to method” for saving a loaf, recommending that you lightly moisten it before placing it in an oven preheated to 450°F. Explaining their findings, they wrote: “The exterior is crusty with a slight sheen, and the interior is warm and fluffy, ready for whatever you want to spread on it.
“You don’t need to use aluminum foil, and the 10-minute timing is pretty hard to beat.”
This technique functions by reintroducing moisture to the centre of the loaf whilst the oven’s heat restores a delightfully crisp crust.
TheKitchn.com also highlighted alternative methods, including misting the bread with water and covering it in tin foil. Meanwhile the Express previously revealed that storing bread alongside one specific vegetable could extend its lifespan by up to a week.
A representative from waste management specialists Wheeldon Brothers said: “Celery gives off moisture, which helps prevent the bread from drying out without encouraging mould.”
They continued: “It’s a clever way to maintain the softness of bread while storing it in the fridge.”