French Bread

Best eaten day of purchase. Store in paper bag at room temperature to maintain crust. Avoid refrigerating as it accelerates staling. Freeze whole or sliced in airtight bag; refresh frozen bread in 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes.

Revive day-old bread by spritzing with water and heating in 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crust

Slice at a 45-degree angle for larger surface area, ideal for bruschetta or crostini

Toast slices lightly before making sandwiches to prevent sogginess from moist fillings

Soups and stews for dipping

Soft cheeses like brie or camembert

Butter, olive oil, or flavored spreads

Pâtés and charcuterie

Garlic butter for garlic bread

Storing in plastic bag, which traps moisture and makes crust soft and chewy

Refrigerating the bread, which speeds up staling and makes it go stale faster than room temperature storage

Slicing the entire loaf at once; cut only what you need to keep remaining bread fresh longer