More than 3.5 billion 'recyclable' plastic bread bags are discarded in the UK each year, as only one in ten local authorities actually recycle it - iNews revealed.
The alternative to buying plastic-wrapped bread is to buy from bakeries or bake your own, only to find it's gone stale (or mouldy!) before you can finish the loaf. If not stored correctly the shelf life of bread decreases dramatically, especially if it doesn't include the industrial level of additives which are usually contained within a supermarket loaf.
Which? set out to discover the best bread storage solution, testing five popular choices including metal bread bins, plastic bags and cotton bags. They baked five loaves and judged the storage options based on the bread's longevity:
Bread storage method | Result over five days |
Best: Cotton bag | After three days: The exposed end of the bread is still mostly soft, with just a little dryness around the edges After five days: Mould has begun to develop and the bread is dry |
Plastic bag | From day one: The end of the loaf is a little dry around the edges and the crust goes a little soft, but it remains relatively stable until day five Day five: Mould appears and the exposed end is dry |
Plastic bread bin | After three days: The exposed end of the bread is still soft in the centre, but increasingly dry around the edges Day five: Mould has begun to appear and the bread is dry |
Paper bag | Day one: Bread feels dry Day two: Bread is hard and stale Day four: Inedible |
Metal bread bin | After one day: Bread is dry and unappetising Day four: Rock solid |
You can find more details on Which?’s findings here.
How much air you expose your bread to is crucial to keeping it fresh. Too much and your bread will go stale, too little and it will create the perfect climate for mould growth. We designed the Wheat Fields Bread Bag - a breathable cotton bag which regulates air temperature - keeping your bread fresher for longer.
Made from Fairtrade and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standards) certified Organic Cotton, our Bread Bag is an eye-catching and sustainable addition to your kitchen. You could even bring it with you to the local bakery or artisan store, as the practical cotton drawstring keeps your culinary goods safe and secure from the moment you purchase them.
We recommend brushing out the crumbs after each use to keep your bread bag clean - the birds will thank you for it, too!