The website El Amasadero today features an article on an unscientific comparison as to the best of four methods for preserving bread over time. Over 7 days it compares bread saved in:
- bolsa de tela - cloth bag
- bolsa de papel - paper bag
- panera - bread box
- bolsa de papel en la nevera - paper bag in the refrigerator
A version wrapped in plastic was not even considered.
The article is in Spanish, but the gist is clear. Bread kept in a wooden bread box far outlasts the other 3 methods. Done strictly as an experiment, the bread will likely develop mold after a few days in all. The author is not promoting preserving bread in these 4 ways for a week, so do not take the final few days as any endorsement beyond the demonstration.
Each of the 7 days has a picture as below. These are the 4 breads after 1 day. The deterioration day-to-day is evident.
I think I remember hearing that the breadbox was basically useless. It may have been some Modernist Bread presentation or the associated podcast.
Yes, Modernist Bread is not kind to the traditional method of storing bread. Specifically of the bread boxes they say "only good to keep the mice away".
Why would one keep baguette-like bread for more than 12 hours? Brenan mentions in "Al Sur de Granada" dark rye bread made by the shepherds that wouldn't go stale for quite a while (in a cloth bag?).
have a shelf life of at least two days.
Whole rye bread doesn't stale for a couple of weeks, and if made and stored properly doesn't develop mold either. Supposedly, traditional pumpernickel is good to eat even longer, like a month or two!
"Artesano en mi cocina" has just posted a video with a recipe of what might be the shepherd's dark rye bread.