Expiration & Storage Tips
When does Soda Bread expire?
Unopened store-bought soda bread can typically last for 5 to 7 days after purchase if stored correctly, while the printed date on the package often offers the optimal freshness time frame. However, once opened or if it's homemade, soda bread tends to stay fresh for about 2 to 4 days at room temperature. Regarding frozen soda bread, it can last up to 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
How do you tell if Soda Bread is bad?
The first sign that your soda bread may be going bad is usually a change in texture. The bread will become stale, hard, or overly dry. A visible mould, often in green, blue, or white, would signal the bread has definitely gone bad. Also, a sour or off smell is a clear indicator of spoilage.
Tips for storing Soda Bread to extend shelf life
• Freshly baked or store-bought soda bread is best kept at room temperature in a bread box or a cool dry place, wrapped in a paper bag or a tea towel to prevent it from drying out.
• When storing in the refrigerator, it's important to wrap the bread in a plastic bag or sealed container to keep it from drying out, but this can make the bread become stale quicker.
• For longer storage, you can freeze soda bread. Slice it first for easy serving, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, put it in a sealable plastic bag, and freeze. To defrost, leave at room temperature without unwrapping, and then refresh in a warm oven if needed.