You’re not alone if you can’t help but wonder whether bread molds faster in the refrigerator or not. A lot of people believe that the cool environment inside the refrigerator prevents the bread from going stale. However, that’s not the case. An average loaf of bread has a shelf life ranging between 3-7 days.
At times you might even notice mold by the end of the second day. Before you panic at the sight of an unexpected mold, here are a few things you need to know regarding bread mold.
Does Bread Mold Faster In The Fridge?
Multiple factors influence bread mold. The outside temperature is one of them. However, the predominant factor is the amount of yeast used in the bread dough. Yeast works as an excellent rising agent. Once the bread is cooked, the microbial quantity inside the bread is minimum but it gets exposed to the environment.
The moisture and presence of environmental microbes in the surrounding environment are curcial. If the outside environment is cold and humid, the bread will mold faster. However, if it’s cold and dry, the bread may stay fresh for a longer duration.
The question arises again, does refrigerating the bread make a difference? The truth is there is no fixed answer to these questions. Some loaves of bread can last a week on the kitchen pantry without a spot of mold while others get rotten in 3 days.
However, most experienced users believe that instead of the refrigerator, the kitchen pantry is a better storing option. The pantry must be dry and dark. A dry environment is ideal for storing goods in the kitchen. The slightest hint of moisture can speed up microbial activity. Secondly, the storing place must be dry. Excessive exposure to light is also not advisable.
What’s the best way to store bread? An airtight container is your best bet whether you’re refrigerating the bread or not. Once you airtight the bread it prevents excessive exposure from the environment. This helps the bread say fresh for longer periods. An airtight container blocks the air which is a medium through which microbes interact in the environment. At times you’re not fully aware of what bacteria is growing in the kitchen. To prevent any situation of this sort, keep your kitchen pantry as clean as possible. Occasionally use a disinfectant and thoroughly clean your kitchen slabs.
If you’re a small family or living on your own, buy the smaller bread loaf. Usually, bachelors tend to complain the most regarding bread going stale. If you’re a bachelor, share your bread load with a roommate or someone across the hallways. Make sure to buy as much as you can consume in 3 days.
Bread mold is a slow decomposing process. You can slow it down but you can’t avoid it. The best solution is to buy a smaller bread loaf and use an airtight bag or container. The choice is entirely up to you, you can either refrigerate it or simply leave it in the kitchen pantry.