Flax Linen is a fascinating fabric. The more i read into it the more interesting it becomes...
Linen textiles which are made from the flax plant, appear to be some of the oldest in the world; Their history goes back many thousands of years. Dyed flax fibers found in a cave in Southeastern Europe suggest the use of woven linen fabrics from wild flax may date back over 30,000 years. Linen was used in ancient civilizations including Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, and linen is also mentioned in the Bible both in the new and old testament.
Why is Linen a wonderful fabric to store bread in? Linen is a naturally antibacterial substance, which means that it doesn’t provide germs with an ideal breeding environment. Linen also has a surprisingly high capacity for absorbing liquid which draws moister away from the bread. Both of these unique properties slow the growth of bacteria and mold.
These reusable linen Bread bags are absolutely lovely, carefully crafted, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, breathable, soft and loved. A "must have" in your kitchen and not only perfect for storing bread but can be used as a fruit & vegetable bag, nuts bag, at home or when you're traveling.
I searched high and wide for top quality flax linen artisans and found two female owned small businesses across the world from each other to create this collection. One is a US based Artisan from a tiny town of 4000 people in Maine, the other are a mother & daughter from Lithuania in the Baltic region of Europe. The bread bags these women have made for Hearty Breads are of the highest quality and if you are asking yourself why Lithuania of all places there is a great reason:
Flax—the plant from which linen is made—is a naturally organic crop when farmed in its native region and traditional flax growing and linen production techniques are a significant part of Lithuanian heritage.
The Lithuanian climate has always been perfectly suited to growing quality Flax. The very nature of the flax itself, and the climate in which it is grown, mean that the plant is resistant to pests, requires very little fertilizer, and can thrive entirely without irrigation.
Today, Baltic linen is highly appreciated by textile experts all over the world and has become a central part of Lithuanian culture and mythology. Many folk songs are based around the process. There is even an annual festival in the village of Budraiciai to celebrate the importance of flax and linen, with artisans and craftsmen attending from all over Lithuania to share their experience and sell their handmade items. I feel very lucky to have found this mother and daughter team who keep their tradition and are making these beautiful flax linen bags for us.
Storing bread in your Flax Linen Bread Bag
Real bread that has no preservatives doesn’t stay fresh for long. The deterioration process will literally start as soon as the bread is out of the oven.
When your bread is just out of the oven and has cooled down, it’s at the top of its freshness. Staling sets in very soon after. During staling bread loses its freshness, it loses that crunchy crust and the center turns dry and chewy. A truly stale bread requires a lot of chewing and teeth power to be eaten. Stale bread hasn’t spoiled though! It’s still perfectly fine to eat, will just need some reviving in the form of heating in your oven (for a full unopened loaf) or your toaster . The flax linen bread bags can't stop this naturally occurring process but they can delay it by a couple more days and they can keep your crust from going soggy as the unique properties of linen highly absorb moisture. For best results I recommend slicing as you go and storing your bread in your Flax Linen bread bag and putting the bag in a closed cool place like a bread box or in one of your kitchen cabinets (never refrigerate bread as it will dry it out!).
Caring for your Flax Linen Bread Bag
Machine or hand wash in warm-cold water on a gentle cycle with mild soap, air dry. No fabric softener since your bag will be in contact with food, lay flat to dry. Linen will shrink after the first wash and is naturally wrinkly. It will become softer with every wash!
Dimensions: 12 x 16