Everyone with a bread box is encouraged to place this fruit inside to prevent the baguette from drying out
Does your baguette go dry just a few hours after you buy it? An old trick is to slip a piece of fruit into the bread box to slow down the drying process. Easy, economical, and waste-free, this method does require a few precautions to avoid excess moisture and keep the bread in good condition.
Tired of finding your baguette as hard as a rock the day after you buy it? Before sacrificing it to breadcrumbs or croutons, try this simple trick passed down from our grandmothers. It requires neither expensive equipment nor complicated accessories: all you need is a fruit you probably already have in your kitchen: an apple.
An apple to keep the bread softer
According to Le Parisien, the trick is to place an apple directly in the bread box, next to the baguette, loaf, or rolls. It might seem surprising at first, but it works.
The apple releases a small amount of moisture. In the enclosed space of the box, this helps maintain a less dry atmosphere around the bread. As a result, the crumb doesn't lose its softness as quickly, and the crust takes longer to become very hard.
This technique can therefore help prolong the freshness of bread, but it obviously doesn't work miracles. It won't transform a baguette that's several days old into bread fresh from the oven. Its main objective is to slow down drying and reduce food waste.
A precaution that should absolutely not be forgotten
However, if you forget about your bread for weeks or months, an apple obviously won't be enough. The method has its limits! The media outlet advises changing the fruit every week. You should check it regularly and remove it if it starts to spoil or soften.
Also, be sure to store the bread in a clean, well-ventilated container. Excess moisture could have the opposite effect and encourage mold growth. The apple should remain whole and undamaged; there's no need to cut it, as it will spoil much more quickly.
If your bread has dried out, all is not lost. Quickly brush the hardened areas with a light stream of water, being careful not to soak the crumb. Then place the bread in a warm oven for a few minutes. The heat and humidity will give it a much more pleasant texture.
This step must be done just before eating the bread, as it will harden again as it cools. With an apple to prevent it and a quick bake in the oven to fix it, your baguette now has two extra chances of avoiding the bin!
