A master baker has revealed the best way to keep bread fresh in hot weather, and it's all about storage. Scorching summer temperatures are increasingly common across the UK, and most people will appreciate any techniques that help preserve food for longer, particularly a European essential like bread.
The Problem with Cloth Bags in Heat
Bread remains a cornerstone of British diets, with a reported 99.8 per cent of households purchasing it, with almost 11 million loaves sold daily. Bread enjoys similar popularity in Spain, where a traditional cloth bag has been regarded as among the best ways to maintain its freshness. However, master baker José Roldán, the International Union of Bakers and Confectioners (UIBC)'s World Baker of the Year 2025, maintains that this approach becomes less effective in higher temperatures. He told Última Hora: "The cloth bag allows the bread to breathe, but in the heat, it will lose moisture more quickly."
The Freezer Solution
Swift evaporation causes the crumb to harden prematurely, resulting in a loss of those freshly baked characteristics. Therefore, to shield your loaf from the conditions, it's worthwhile adjusting your storage approach when temperatures rise. Heat triggers dehydration, which can substantially reduce the length of time your bread retains its "organoleptic properties" - characteristics that engage the senses including taste, smell, colour and texture. José recommended we store our bread in the freezer after slicing it; this approach prolongs the bread's lifespan.
For optimal results, purchase a high-quality loaf and pre-slice it, enabling you to remove only what's required each time. He said: "A quick moment in the toaster or oven is all it takes to have bread that tastes as if it's just been baked." Freezing counteracts the bread's natural deterioration, halting enzymatic activity and preventing microorganisms from multiplying. Then thawing with direct heat can bring your bread back to its former, bakery-fresh glory.
Alternative: Plastic Bag Method
An alternative is keeping your bread in a plastic bag. This can help preserve moisture during summer, though it's advisable to employ this technique only if you intend to consume the loaf within 24 to 48 hours. It may also soften the crust, robbing the bread's characteristic bakery crispness. Nevertheless, you can remedy this by placing the bread in the oven or toaster for several minutes, which can help to revive it. On the plastic bag method, José added: "In summer, instead of keeping the bread in a cloth bag, I'd use a plastic bag." He went on to say: "If the bread gets a bit chewy, just pop it in the oven for a moment, and it'll be magnificent again."
