Photo: Kemp Minifie
These slices of bread look fresh, right? They certainly felt fresh to me when I snapped the photograph on Friday, December 21, 2012. The crusts curled—no breakage—as I pulled the slices from the bag.
But guess how old this loaf of bread is? I bought it nine weeks ago when I was testing the Turkish Spiced Meatballs for our New Year’s Eve Party Modern Menu. I knew it was a while ago, but I was shocked when I checked my receipts to discover I’d bought it on October 12, 2012.
Here’s the kicker: the loaf has been sitting at room temperature on my kitchen counter the whole time. I never refrigerated it or froze it. The loaf got lost amidst the clutter of a small New York City apartment kitchen heavily used by someone who loves to cook.
It’s not natural for bread to last that long at room temperature. When I was a kid, bread barely lasted four or five days without showing signs of mold. I shudder to think what a green furry mess a loaf from the days of my childhood would have become in only two weeks at room temperature. That’s why my mother insisted we store our bread in the fridge to help it last longer.
Does this remind you of Morgan Spurlock’s experiment with MacDonald’s French fries in Super Size Me? I just reviewed that section of the movie and the French fries lasted ten weeks without a hint of rot before they were accidentally thrown out by an intern. Who knows how long they would have lasted?
To further the cause of food science—and my own curiosity—in an informal experiment, I’m returning this loaf to its spot on top of the dishwasher to see just how long it takes to turn green. I’ll report back to you. But the idea of eating bread that’s so full of preservatives it lasts over two months gives me the heebie-jeebies.
When I shop for bread, I go to a bakery stand at my farmers market to purchase loaves of preservative-free, whole-grain bread. And when I see the first sign of mold, I cut it out and turn the rest of the loaf into my favorite toasted breadcrumbs for pasta. You won’t believe how delicious they are!
