Secured a fresh, aromatic loaf from the local bakery or supermarket? Well, the next step is to store it right to keep it soft and delicious. But the question is, where do you put it – in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer? As it turns out, the place to store the bread relies on how fast you're going to finish it and your preference for the softness of your slices.

"Keeping bread in the refrigerator is not only safe, but also helps to slow down the aging process," explained Lorene Sauro, a certified health and food safety expert, in a conversation with Food & Wine. However, Sauro warned, a phenomenon known as starch retrogradation can alter the bread's texture, leading to a dry and crumbly consistency.

The sentiment was further echoed by Shelly Balls, a registered dietitian nutritionist and ServSafe Manager Certified professional. Balls pointed out that research studies show that refrigeration changes the starch structures in the bread, leading to a harder texture. Nonetheless, this method does not pose any health hazards.

Interestingly, Sauro and Balls highlighted that leaving the bread at room temperature in a cool, dry place guarantees the best quality and safety, especially for crusty breads. According to Balls, refrigeration has an even more negative effect on crusty breads.

However, this stark difference in taste is less noticeable in commercially made, mass-produced bread. "Refrigerated bread and room temperature bread hardly have a taste difference when it comes to factory-made varieties," Balls said. Nevertheless, if you choose to refrigerate your bread, ensure it's in a sealed container to avoid drying out.

But what if you've bought a loaf and don't plan to eat it for a while? Freezing could be your best bet. "If your bread isn't going to be eaten soon enough, freezing is a great alternative. Freezing temporarily stops the aging process, which will restart once the bread is at room temperature," Sauro clarified. To prevent freezer burn, she advised to store it in a container or plastic bag, but also recommended not to leave it in too long as it would become unappetizing due to freezer burn.