Challah is a staple food in the Jewish community. It’s a popular way to make bread at home because of its simplicity and ease of use. There are many who think that challah does not need any special care or attention, but this is not quite true. Challah has a short shelf life and needs to be kept away from moisture and light to remain fresh for a longer period. Keeping challah fresh will keep it from becoming stale and make it last even longer so you don’t have to make it as often. Follow these simple tips to keep your challah fresh every time you store it.
Wrap your challah in plastic wrap
Plastic wrap is a must for keeping your challah fresh. When you wrap your challah, it keeps the dough from absorbing too much air and changing the taste. This is especially important if you are planning to store it for a long time. The best time to wrap your challah is when you first make it. This way, the plastic wrap will be clean and get a chance to absorb the dough’s scent. You can also wrap your challah the night before you plan on storing it. This is especially helpful if you are going to leave it unpacked for a while while you are out of town.
Store your challah at room temperature
Chances are you store your challah in the refrigerator, right? But if it’s stored there, it probably isn’t good anymore. You want your bread to stay as fresh as possible, so storing it at room temperature is key. You can keep your challah on the counter or in a cupboard. The key is to make sure it doesn’t get too hot or too cold.
If you live in a big city, you can even keep it in the basement or the garage! Keep in mind that challah expands as it cools down and it’s best to take it out of the fridge about an hour before you plan on using it. This will give the bread time to cool down a bit and not expand too much.
Keep humidity levels low
If you keep your challah in the same place as your other fresh breads, it will get moist and moldy. That’s because breads are high in water and they love moisture. To keep your challah fresh, keep it away from humidity levels. Avoid keeping it in a humid environment, like a cupboard with other breads or by a water dispenser. Store it in a plastic container or in a sealed bag.
Don’t store your challah in bags or containers
This might seem like a no-brainer, but many people wrap their challah in plastic wrap and then store it in plastic bags or containers. This is not a good idea because the bread absorbs the odour of the bag or container. Wrap your bread in plastic wrap and store it in a bag or container made specifically for bread. Bread should always be kept in bus tubs or containers which are made to keep bread fresh.
Let it dry out completely before storing it again
Another mistake many people make when keeping challah fresh is keeping it in a dry place. Try to avoid storing your challah in a dry place that isn’t getting regular misting or dehumidifying. That way, the bread won’t get too dry and crispy. If you store it in a dry place, it will become stale and not as fresh as it should be. Make sure to let it completely dry out before storing it again. You can put it on a rack or on a counter that gets full sunlight.
Use a bread keeper to keep it fresh
A bread keeper is like a pretty container for your bread. It keeps the bread fresh and prevents mold from forming on the bread. Bread keeper containers are available in many different styles and sizes. You can also make your own bread keeper with a plastic container, bread wrap, and a rubber band. The bread wrap is great because it helps keep the bread from getting soured by the air. The bread wrap can be washed and reused too.
Wrapping up – Final Words
If you keep challah fresh, you will enjoy a longer expiration date on your bread. This is important for any bread, but especially when you are keeping challah fresh. It’s a great way to keep your family fed and happy with homemade bread. Give these tips a try the next time you want to keep challah fresh.
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