Rye bread is double wrapped for a reason. Here’s why!

If you’re wondering whether or not the baker wrapped your rye bread in two thick bakery paper layers, you may not be sure why the baker did so. Maybe you could make the bread and wrap it yourself. Or maybe they’re only wrapping them for you. Either way, it doesn’t really matter, but we will find out why the bread is double wrapped in this article. 

Why is rye bread double wrapped? 

Double-wrapping bread is a common food safety practice, and for good reason. Some people prefer to wrap bread in plastic instead of foil, but plastic can erode the wax coating on the outside of bread, which will make the bread less appealing to taste.

By double wrapping bread in foil, airtight packaging eliminates the opportunity for bacteria to grow and spoil the bread. This makes it less likely that the food will go bad or grow mold, because bacteria need oxygen to grow. 

How long is rye bread good for? 

Most types of bread will keep fresh for about 2-3 days. This includes rye bread. However, rye bread has a slightly stronger flavor than other types of bread, so it may not keep as fresh as others.

The best way to store rye bread is to keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will slow down the fermentation process, which in turn slows the breakdown of the bread. This will also help the bread last longer.

Once the bread is out of the refrigerator, it will last for about 1-2 days. 

Is it true that two wraps make the bread last longer? 

If you use one layer of plastic wrap to thoroughly wrap your bread, it will last longer in the refrigerator than if you wrap it in multiple layers of plastic wrap. That’s because one layer of plastic will allow moisture to escape while keeping out bacteria and dirt, which will allow your bread to stay fresh longer.

However, if you wrap your bread in two layers of plastic wrap, the moisture will not escape as well, which means the bread will go bad more quickly. 

What not to do when wrapping bread? 

Wrapping bread in plastic wrap before placing it in a bread box not only looks bad; it also prevents bread from rehydrating properly. Not only does this process cause the bread to stale faster, but it can shorten the shelf life of your bread. The best way to store bread is by covering it with a dry towel or napkin and leaving it on the countertop.

This may mean wrapping the bread with wax paper or parchment paper, but that can be cleaned and reused. What you won’t be able to reuse is the plastic wrap. Not only will disposable plastic wrap not last through rehydrating, but it will also be more difficult to throw away than wax paper or parchment paper. 

What does French bread look like without wrappers? 

When you think of French bread, you might imagine a long, thin loaf with a crispy crust. But what does French bread look like without its wrappers?

Without its packaging, French bread looks quite different. The loaf is shorter and thicker, and the crust is softer. The texture of the bread is also more dense and chewy.

French bread without wrappers may not look as appetizing as the traditional loaves, but it can still be delicious. When baked fresh, this type of bread has a rich flavor and a moist texture that makes it perfect for sandwiches or toast. 

Final thoughts 

Overall, rye bread is generally double wrapped to make sure that it is allowed to dry quickly without getting moldy. By wrapping the bread in two layers of plastic wrap, most moisture is absorbed, and the bread will dry out inside the wrap as it ages. Over time, the outer layer will mold, meaning that you can safely remove the affected layer and use the bread.