Homemade bread is one of life’s simple joys that I am determined to master. Lately, I’ve been in a “war of the wits” with my sourdough bread recipe, some days the bread gods smile, other days…not so much. But, we soldier on!
The latest addition to my bread-making arsenal is a reusable linen bread bag. When bread first comes out of the oven, the crust is crisp and the inside is soft, however when it is time to store the bread — a ziplock bag in the refrigerator turns the soft, fluffy loaf into a hard, dry brick.
Enter: The Bread Bag!
Using a cloth bag (either 100% cotton or linen), helps to preserve the quality of your bread and also offers an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags. First, let’s talk fabric choices. While any breathable fabric will work (quilting cotton, gauze, linen, etc.), I prefer 100% linen. Linen is made from natural fibers in the flax plant, and is more durable than cotton fabrics. It is breathable and wicks moisture, so the bread that isn’t completely cooled, won’t get soggy from the condensation that accrues on the inside of a plastic bag. Being made from linen, it will also last longer and be less prone to mildew. Regardless of which fabric used, I suggest avoiding fabrics with chemical dyes. Some colored linens use natural dyes, but most fabrics (especially quilting cottons) use chemicals to create colors and patterns. Even if the fabric is pre-washed — when condensation occurs, the colors may bleed and release unwanted chemicals and pigments into the contents of the bowl.
Now, what do you need for this project?
Fabric Requirements:
- 1/2 yard of quality fabric
What you need:
