How Long Does Bread Last In The Fridge (And Why)?

Exact Answer: Seven To Eight Days

There are many dishes that one can enjoy just like that. But, some delicacies need to get accompanied. For example, if you are eating Spaghetti or gravy. In such scenarios, everybody loves bread.

For some of us, bread is a part of our every day as our breakfast is incomplete without it. If you like including bread in your breakfast, there are many options that you can choose. You can put butter on it or have it toasted. Or even enjoy it with Jam or peanut butter. However, it is necessary to consume it while it’s fresh. 

How Long Does Bread Last In The Fridge

How Long Does Bread Last In The Fridge?

Food items are perishable. That means after a certain period, it is not safe or healthy to consume it. Although, there are methods to increase the number of days that it can stay consumable via storing it in the fridge or heating it from time to time.

When it is about bread, it is a moderately perishable food item. It means that if left at room temperature, it can last for about 3 to four days only. Not a day more than that.

Hence, it is necessary to consume bread in a day or two from when you purchase it. Because after a day, the texture also changes. It won’t be the soft bread that it was on day one.

The shelf life of bread can get increased if you store it properly. That is, you need to put it in an air-tight bag or container that will add a day or two more to its shelf life. You can also try storing the bread in the fridge. It will substantially increase the shelf life of bread. 

If you store the bread in a fridge, you can expect the bread to last even up to seven days. You might see some changes in the texture. However, it will be good enough to consume up to seven days, only if the bread gets stored in the fridge.

Storage ConditionsTime For Which It Will Last
On the counter, at room temperatureMaximum Four days
In the fridgeSeven to Eight Days

Why Does Bread Last That Long In The Fridge?

If you like stocking up essentials for a few weeks, you need to be mindful of what food item will last for a long time. Every food item has its expiry date, which means it is not advisable to consume it beyond that date.

When a product like bread gets considered, it will always come with an expiry date if you consume store-bought bread. The shelf life starts from the date of manufacturing and ends with the expiry date. You can also consume homemade bread. It is a fact that usually, store-bought bread lasts longer than homemade bread.

There are many reasons behind bread lasting only for a specific period. The reason is as follows:

  • The bread that you have bought will last mainly depending on the date of manufacturing. The time it gets manufactured, the shelf life starts. After manufacturing, it goes through the process of packaging and then moving on to the shelves. There is a possibility that you might have picked up the bread that got manufactured for a few days. In that case, even if you store it in the fridge, it will only last for five to seven days.
  • The quality of the bread is also important. If the bread gets made with premium quality products, it can last a day or two longer when stored in the fridge.
  • The storage condition is another factor that will determine the shelf life. If you leave the bread at the counter, it will last for only a maximum of four to five days. Whereas, in the fridge, it will last longer.
  • The composition of bread is such that mold grows fast at room temperature. Hence it stays edible only for few days.

Conclusion

Since bread is a commodity that people need every day it is essential to keep it in good condition to avoid wastage.

If you don’t like your bread cold and don’t want to store it in a fridge, you will have to make sure to consume it before it starts going bad.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0023643813004763
  2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2013.768198

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AboutNidhi

Hi! I'm Nidhi.

Here at the EHL, it's all about delicious, easy recipes for casual entertaining. So come and join me at the beach, relax and enjoy the food.

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