Storing bread in the fridge is a big no-no, as it actually causes the bread to stale faster, making it look and feel older than it really is. Perhaps this writer’s been living in a fridge all these years? Who knows!

But the cold air accelerates the staling process, shortening its freshness. For the best results, keep your bread out of the fridge—except when it’s already made into a sandwich. Once it’s cut and filled with your favorite ingredients, the bread behaves a bit differently and can handle the chill a little better.