The humble loaf of bread – a staple in most Australian households and the centrepiece of many a breakfast table. But when it comes to storing this essential item, opinions are as varied as the types of bread on the market. It's a debate that has sliced friendships and buttered up arguments in kitchens across the nation: Should bread be stored in the fridge or not?



Enter Paul Hollywood, the so-called 'King of bread' and a familiar face from The Great British Bake Off. With his expertise in all things doughy and delicious, he recently weighed in on this contentious issue. In a video that has since risen in popularity on TikTok, Hollywood kneads into the heart of the matter. 'A big question I get asked a lot, 'Where do you store bread?',' he says, before revealing his own practice: 'I just put it in a brown bag and leave it on the side!'


According to Hollywood, stashing your bread in the fridge is a recipe for disaster. The cool environment, he claims, accelerates staling by drawing moisture out of the loaf three times faster than if it were left at room temperature. This might come as a surprise to many who have long believed that the chill of the fridge keeps bread fresher for longer.



But not everyone is ready to abandon their crisper drawers. Despite Hollywood's advice, some bread enthusiasts insist that their loaves last longer when refrigerated. 'I keep mine in a sealed bag in the fridge - it keeps much better in rather than out,' one person shared. Another added, 'We keep our bread in the fridge it lasts so much longer.' For these folks, the fear of mould growth trumps concerns about premature staling, with several noting that bread seems to mould quickly when left out.

The debate doesn't end there. Within the Kidspot team, there's a smorgasbord of storage methods, each with its own rationale. Carly opts for the fridge, citing mould prevention as her main reason. Jordana, a mum-of-three, takes a leaf out of her mother's book and uses the microwave as a makeshift bread box, claiming it's airtight and keeps bread fresh. Joel and Laura have a foot in both camps, with one loaf on the kitchen bench for immediate use and another in the freezer for longevity. 'One loaf in the freezer for toast - one on the kitchen bench for sandwiches,' Laura clarifies.

And then there's Liz, the kitchen editor, who prefers the pantry – a cool, dry shelf all to itself. She reserves the fridge for crumpets, which she finds spoil quickly otherwise.



So, what's the best way to keep your bread fresh? The answer may not be as straightforward as we'd like. While Hollywood's advice is based on his extensive baking experience, individual preferences and environmental factors play a significant role. For instance, the climate in Australia can vary dramatically from region to region, which could affect the shelf life of bread left out on the bench.

Moreover, the type of bread you buy could influence the best storage method. Artisanal breads without preservatives might fare better in a bread bin or paper bag at room temperature, while mass-produced loaves with added preservatives could potentially last longer in the fridge.

Ultimately, it seems the best place to store bread may come down to a combination of personal preference, climate, and bread type. If you're unsure, why not experiment with different methods and see what works best for you? Just remember, if you do opt for the fridge, be prepared for a potentially stiffer slice – and if you leave it out, keep an eye out for mould.




We'd love to hear from our Seniors Discount Club members on this topic. Where do you store your bread, and what tips do you have for keeping it fresh? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let's see if we can rise to the occasion and settle this debate once and for all!