Breadbox: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Bread storage device}} | {{Short description|Bread storage device}} | ||
{{For|the software and computer company known as Breadbox Ensemble|GEOS (16-bit operating system)}} | {{For|the software and computer company known as Breadbox Ensemble|GEOS (16-bit operating system)}} | ||
{{For|the version of the computer known as the Breadbin C64|Commodore 64}} | |||
{{refimprove|date=May 2009}} | {{refimprove|date=May 2009}} | ||
[[Image:Breadbox.jpg|thumb|A typical wooden breadbox.]] | [[Image:Breadbox.jpg|thumb|A typical wooden breadbox.]] | ||
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==Working theory== | ==Working theory== | ||
[[Staling|Stale bread]] is colloquially called "dry", but drying and staling are distinct processes. Stale bread can weigh the same as "fresh" bread, indicating almost no loss of water; conversely, bread can be dried out without going stale. [[Staling]] is a process of [[Retrogradation (starch)|retrogradation]], in which the starch transposes to a crystalline form in the presence of the water contained within the bread itself. The process speeds up at cooler temperatures,<ref>''Cereals in breadmaking: a molecular colloidal approach'', Ann-Charlotte Eliasson, Kåre Larsson, CRC Press, 1993, pages: 128-129, {{ISBN|0-8247-8816-8}}, {{ISBN|978-0-8247-8816-2}}</ref> such as under [[refrigeration]], and thus bread stored at room temperature remains fresher for longer periods than refrigerated bread.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stilltasty.com/questions/index/18/page:1|title=Is it Better to Store Bread on the Counter or in the Fridge? |website=StillTasty.com |language=en|access-date=2017-07-09}}</ref> Frozen bread, however, traps the moisture as ice, and prevents the staling process.<ref name="Cook's Illustrated Magazine">[http://thecommonroomblog.com/2007/08/freeze-dont-refrigerate-your-bread.html Freeze, Don’t Refrigerate Your Bread] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121050946/http://thecommonroomblog.com/2007/08/freeze-dont-refrigerate-your-bread.html |date=2022-01-21 }} Heat Keeper Common. August 2007</ref> | [[Staling|Stale bread]] is colloquially called "dry", but drying and staling are distinct processes. Stale bread can weigh the same as "fresh" bread, indicating almost no loss of water; conversely, bread can be dried out without going stale. [[Staling]] is a process of [[Retrogradation (starch)|retrogradation]], in which the starch transposes to a crystalline form in the presence of the water contained within the bread itself. The process speeds up at cooler temperatures,<ref>''Cereals in breadmaking: a molecular colloidal approach'', Ann-Charlotte Eliasson, Kåre Larsson, CRC Press, 1993, pages: 128-129, {{ISBN|0-8247-8816-8}}, {{ISBN|978-0-8247-8816-2}}</ref> such as under [[refrigeration]], and thus bread stored at [[room temperature]] remains fresher for longer periods than refrigerated bread.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stilltasty.com/questions/index/18/page:1|title=Is it Better to Store Bread on the Counter or in the Fridge? |website=StillTasty.com |language=en|access-date=2017-07-09}}</ref> Frozen bread, however, traps the moisture as ice, and prevents the staling process.<ref name="Cook's Illustrated Magazine">[http://thecommonroomblog.com/2007/08/freeze-dont-refrigerate-your-bread.html Freeze, Don’t Refrigerate Your Bread] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121050946/http://thecommonroomblog.com/2007/08/freeze-dont-refrigerate-your-bread.html |date=2022-01-21 }} Heat Keeper Common. August 2007</ref> | ||
Breadboxes are thus designed to: | Breadboxes are thus designed to: | ||
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==As a saying== | ==As a saying== | ||
The breadbox is commonly used to describe the size of other objects,<ref name="Webster">[http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/breadbox learnersdictionary.com]. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2009-05-10.</ref> a sense that has outlasted its routine use in the kitchen. The query "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" was popularized by [[Steve Allen]] on the American game show ''[[What's My Line?]]'', where it became a running gag after he initially asked the question in 1953. It remains a popular question in the [[parlor game]] ''[[20 Questions]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Keyes|first=Ralph|title=I Love It When You Talk Retro: Hoochie Coochie, Double Whammy, Drop a Dime, and the Forgotten Origins of American Speech|publisher=St. Martin's Griffin|year=2009|isbn=978-0-312-34005-6|location=New York|pages=139, 140|language=English}}</ref> | The breadbox is commonly used to describe the size of other objects,<ref name="Webster">[http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/breadbox learnersdictionary.com]. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2009-05-10.</ref> a sense that has outlasted its routine use in the kitchen. The query "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" was popularized by [[Steve Allen]] on the American game show ''[[What's My Line?]]'', where it became a [[running gag]] after he initially asked the question in 1953. It remains a popular question in the [[parlor game]] ''[[20 Questions]]''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Keyes|first=Ralph|title=I Love It When You Talk Retro: Hoochie Coochie, Double Whammy, Drop a Dime, and the Forgotten Origins of American Speech|publisher=St. Martin's Griffin|year=2009|isbn=978-0-312-34005-6|location=New York|pages=139, 140|language=English}}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 15:28, 13 July 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "For". Script error: No such module "For". Template:Refimprove
A breadbox (chiefly American) or a breadbin (chiefly British)[1] is a container for storing bread and other baked goods to keep them fresh. They were a more common household kitchen item until bread started being made commercially with food preservatives and wrapped in plastic. Breadboxes are still used by many people to store commercially purchased bread, but are used more especially by people who bake bread at home. They are usually made of metal, wood or sometimes pottery (pottery breadboxes are also called bread crocks). Old breadboxes can be collectible antiques.
Breadboxes are most commonly big enough to fit one or two average size loaves of bread—up to about 16 inches wide by 8 to 9 inches high and deep (40 cm × 20 cm × 20 cm).[2]
Working theory
Stale bread is colloquially called "dry", but drying and staling are distinct processes. Stale bread can weigh the same as "fresh" bread, indicating almost no loss of water; conversely, bread can be dried out without going stale. Staling is a process of retrogradation, in which the starch transposes to a crystalline form in the presence of the water contained within the bread itself. The process speeds up at cooler temperatures,[3] such as under refrigeration, and thus bread stored at room temperature remains fresher for longer periods than refrigerated bread.[4] Frozen bread, however, traps the moisture as ice, and prevents the staling process.[5]
Breadboxes are thus designed to:
- keep their contents at room temperature, prolonging edible storage time;
- have a lid loose enough to allow airflow, reducing condensation, which helps to prevent the formation of mold;
- have a lid tight enough to slow the drying process as well as to protect the contents from mice and all other pests, including ants and flies.
As a saying
The breadbox is commonly used to describe the size of other objects,[1] a sense that has outlasted its routine use in the kitchen. The query "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" was popularized by Steve Allen on the American game show What's My Line?, where it became a running gag after he initially asked the question in 1953. It remains a popular question in the parlor game 20 Questions.[6]
References
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- ↑ a b learnersdictionary.com. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Cereals in breadmaking: a molecular colloidal approach, Ann-Charlotte Eliasson, Kåre Larsson, CRC Press, 1993, pages: 128-129, Template:ISBN, Template:ISBN
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Freeze, Don’t Refrigerate Your Bread Template:Webarchive Heat Keeper Common. August 2007
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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