Why do bakers insist on keeping bread in bags...

Excessive heat affects not only mood but also how bread is preserved. Leaving bread exposed to air can cause it to lose quality quickly, a problem that multiplies during warm seasons. But what happens when the weather isn't favorable and we can't buy bread every day?

José Roldán, World Baker 2025, offers a fresh perspective on how to keep bread in ideal conditions, especially when the thermometer rises and consumption isn’t immediate. His experience is key to understanding how to preserve bread without losing a gram of flavor.

Bread preservation: cloth or plastic?

When the thermometer rises, the traditional cloth bag that lets the bread breathe can be an unexpected enemy. According to José Roldán, the cloth bag allows bread to transpire, but in heat, it makes it lose moisture faster. It’s a contradiction that many don’t expect, but it marks the difference between stale and fresh bread.

The cloth bag

Most people like to keep bread in cloth bags because they preserve the crust’s crunchiness. But in heat, this excessive ventilation speeds up the drying and texture loss of the bread. So, in especially hot summers, this option isn’t the best.

The plastic bag

On the other hand, a plastic bag can be the practical solution for keeping bread in the heat. Although the bread may become a bit chewy, once warmed with a touch of oven or grill, it regains its texture and flavor almost as if freshly baked.

The freezer trick according to José Roldán

But it’s not all about bags, and here comes another secret from the World Baker 2025. Sliced and well-frozen bread is perfectly preserved. Just a quick oven or grill heat-up gives you bread that’s like freshly made anytime, an essential aid when you don’t want to go out and buy every day.

Freezing for emergencies

This works especially well for homes with visitors or large families. Roldán explains that the freezer should always have some space for those gastronomic emergency moments.

When there is no space in the freezer

But when the freezer is packed to the brim, the plastic bag becomes an alternative resource that remains effective, even if it might seem less glamorous. This bag is the one Roldán recommends in heat, despite the bread losing a bit of its crust.

Who is José Roldán, the World Baker 2025?

Born in Córdoba, José Roldán grew up surrounded by flour and ovens. From a young age, he helped his family at the bakery, learning a trade that requires perseverance and dedication.

An international career

At 40 years old, he balances his role as an international trainer with work in the bakery. He has studied and worked in Spain, France, and Switzerland, and holds a degree in Economic Sciences, a mix that gives him an innovative business vision.

Recognized worldwide

On July 21, he was named World Baker of the Year 2025 by the International Union of Bakers and Pastry Chefs in São Paulo, an award that reflects his experience and passion for the world of bread.

The reality is that preserving bread well in heat involves choosing wisely between cloth and plastic bags, and never forgetting a good frozen supply ready to go. This way, bread not only holds up but keeps its soul alive at the table.

By the way, Valencians agree: in cooking, as in preservation, the details make the difference.