Love Loaf!

Who doesn’t love a loaf of fresh bread? Whether it’s store bought or fresh from your oven, it’s the one food item that most Filipino households count as a staple in their kitchen. It’s an absolute essential for breakfast, merienda, and especially for the kids’ baon.

However, bread has a notoriously short shelf life. In just a matter of days, you could be in a mad rush to consume it before it expires or becomes stale.

So, what can be done when your bread has gone rock hard and nearly inedible? We at the Maya Kitchen work with bread on a daily basis and experience has taught us that it’s possible to revive a stale loaf. Check out these valuable bread revival tips.

#1 The Celery Method

This method is perfect for store bought sliced bread that comes in plastic bags. All you need are one to two celery stalks. Simply place the stalks inside the bag and seal it tightly. Pop the bag into the refrigerator and keep it there for a few hours.

You can even keep it there overnight if the bread has hardened exceptionally. When you open the bag you’ll notice that your celery has dried up considerably and that your bread is soft and fresh once again, having absorbed the moisture from the stalks.

#2 The Bake Method

This is great for harder, crunchier breads like baguettes. First thing you need to do is preheat your oven up to 325 degrees F. Then place your stale loaf under a running faucet. Hot or cold water will do. Make sure that you wet the entire crust.

Now you can place your loaf on the rack and heat it up for seven to 12 minutes, depending on the size of loaf and how much water it has absorbed. Finally, marvel at your bread when it comes out of the oven looking every inch like a freshly baked loaf!

#3 The Paper Towel Method

This method is similar to the bake method except you’ll be using your microwave instead of your oven. This is perfect if you’re in a rush and need that loaf freshened up pronto! First thing you’ll need is to wet a paper towel and squeeze out all the excess moisture. Wrap your bread loaf completely in the paper towel. Pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Voila! Dispose of the paper towel and enjoy your loaf’s second life!

One other thing that we want to share is that if your bread has fuzzy black or green spots growing on its surface, it’s gone moldy. While eating moldy bread isn’t life threatening, some species of mold contain toxins and carcinogens.

There is no way to reverse mold, but you can prevent it from making an early appearance. Molds thrive in humid, hot, and bright places and that’s why sealing your loaf and storing it in the freezer is the best thing you can do for your bread. It also lengthens your loaf’s shelf life.

Let us know which method worked best for you by leaving a comment below!