A Private Chef Uses This Beeswax Wrap to Keep Bread Fresh

We’ve all been there. You’re overjoyed to consume a beautiful, fresh piece of homemade sourdough bread, only to find that it’s decorated with mold, gone quickly stale, or both. To ensure this problem never occurs again (or, at least, doesn’t happen before you can finish the loaf), I turned to a private chef to find out his best tips for keeping bread fresh the longest.

While we already know that a bread box or $10 terracotta bread saver are highly recommended options, Chef Chase Williams, known for his 14-seat private dining experience at the Grange Estate in Oregon, is throwing another hat in the bread storage ring. He recommends the Bee’s Wrap Beeswax Bread Wrap, available for $15 at Amazon, which keeps bread, whether homemade or store-bought, “fresh for a week or more.”

Bee’s Wrap Beeswax Bread Storage Wrap

“It’s a cool product that holds its shape well and can be washed and reused, so we can cut down on plastic wrap usage as well,” Williams tells Food & Wine. Indeed, beeswax wrap is a great non-toxic alternative to plastic wrap — another chef we spoke to recommends a similar product from the brand, which can be used for cheese, produce, and of course, bread and other baked goods.

Chef Williams recommends this affordable wrap for smaller kitchens that don’t necessarily produce a significant amount of bread, making it the perfect add-on for home bakers (or those just looking to keep their grocery store slices fresh for longer). The wrap, made in the United States, consists of organic cotton, beeswax, organic plant oil, and tree resin. There’s even a vegan plant-based version that contains plant-based wax instead of beeswax.

Chef Williams will “wrap the loaf or bun like a present” to keep the bread secure, then place it in a storage box. If you have a smaller loaf, you can just opt for a regular food container rather than a whole bread box. The warmth of your hands will allow the Bee’s Wrap to take shape and create a protective, breathable seal. Williams advises storing the bread in a dry space with little to no airflow, because “moisture is your worst enemy, and airflow will cause the bread to go stale much quicker.” If you plan to consume the bread for longer than just one or two days, then he recommends storing it in a refrigerator or freezer, then thawing it when ready to use.

With over 600 five-star ratings on Amazon, shoppers agree that this product will keep your bread fresh, adding that the wrap itself “smells delicious” and offers the “faintest scent of honey.” “The wrap has been opened and then re-wrapped at least once per day (minimum) over the course of about three to four weeks,” one reviewer wrote. “No signs whatsoever of the coating breaking down or cracking.”

Another customer said that when they used plastic bags, it would usually cause mold within three or four days of purchasing. But with this wrap, their loaves stayed fresh for over a week. One frequent sourdough baker agreed, saying the wrap keeps it “much fresher without mold for more than a week.” The cleaning process is also relatively simple — just hand-wash it in cool water with mild dish soap, and allow it to air dry.

Available in nine patterns, including bees, honeycomb, and flowers, this chef-approved find is a game-changer for bread storage (some may even say this expert tip is as sweet as honey!). Say goodbye to stale, moldy bread and grab this reusable, plastic-free wrap for $15 at Amazon.

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At the time of publishing, the price was $15.