The Secret Meaning Behind the Color of Your Bread Bag's Twist Tie (2024)

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Updated: Dec. 13, 2023

    The Secret Meaning Behind the Color of Your Bread Bag's Twist Tie (2)SYDNEY WATSON/RD.COM

    Follow along as we decipher the grocery store's secret code.

    Even if you love bread, you’ve probably found yourself wandering down the bakery aisle in an attempt to find the freshest, fluffiest loaf. Oh, the choices! Most supermarkets boast shelf after shelf of bread ranging from rustic sourdough to bubbling brioche. In an effort to find the best bread, I used to consider their golden-brown color, aroma and, of course, give ’em a gentle squeeze to evaluate freshness. I had no idea the twist ties were telling a story. By the way, here’s how long milk really lasts.

    The twist tie, or plastic tag, on your bread can tell you how fresh your loaf is. The color indicates the day of the week the bread was baked. Typically, commercial bread is baked and delivered to grocery stores five days a week. This gives bakeries two days off–Wednesdays and Sundays. The color system helps the store staff as they rotate in the freshest bread and remove the older loaves. Or as we say in the culinary world, FIFO, meaning “first in, first out.” At most, you should see only two colors of twist ties in the bread aisle on any given day. Also, if there’s a date on the colored tag, it’s the “sell by” date, not the date it was baked. Here’s how long you can keep food past its expiration date.

    The Secret Meaning Behind the Color of Your Bread Bag's Twist Tie (3)TASTE OF HOME

    Check out the (not so secret) color codes:

    • Monday – blue
    • Tuesday – green
    • Thursday – red
    • Friday– white
    • Saturday – yellow

    There’s an easy way to remember this at the grocery store: The colors are in alphabetical order by day of the week. We bet you didn’t know these foods had an expiration date.

    This certainly isn’t a foolproof system. Your local bakery may have its own method of determining freshness. But the colorful code is widely used in many commercial bread bakeries across the country.

    Originally Published: August 25, 2021

    Author

    Rashanda Cobbins

    While studying for her bachelor's degree in culinary arts, Rashanda interned in Southern Living's test kitchen and later spent nearly a decade developing recipes and food content for ConAgra Brands. During her time at Taste of Home as a food editor, she developed, tested and curated recipes for more than 40 annual publications and books.

    The Secret Meaning Behind the Color of Your Bread Bag's Twist Tie (4)

    The Secret Meaning Behind the Color of Your Bread Bag's Twist Tie (2024)

    FAQs

    The Secret Meaning Behind the Color of Your Bread Bag's Twist Tie? ›

    Here is the most common color coding system: Monday — Blue. Tuesday — Green. Thursday — Red.

    What is the bread tying thing? ›

    It's like a little plastic lock. They're called bread bag clips or bread tabs clips.

    What is the meaning of twist ties? ›

    twist tie. noun. : a tie used for closing or securing (as a plastic bag) by twisting the ends together.

    What is the tie called on a bread bag? ›

    But to know exactly when it was baked, you want to take a look at the colored plastic tag or tie that closes the bag. Those pieces of plastic are called "bread clips" (aka bread tabs, bag clips, bread bag clips or bread buckles).

    Why isn't bread made on Wednesday? ›

    The color indicates the day of the week the bread was baked. Typically, commercial bread is baked and delivered to grocery stores five days a week. This gives bakeries two days off–Wednesdays and Sundays. The color system helps the store staff as they rotate in the freshest bread and remove the older loaves.

    Who invented the bread twist tie? ›

    The Burford name first became famous through Charles' father Earl. During WWII, while labor was in short supply, Earl is credited with developing many labor saving devices for the farming industry. His Automatic Wire Tying Hay Baler, would later act as the inspiration for the Burford Twist Tie Machine.

    What is the name of the twisty bread? ›

    These go by a few names – twisters, twizzlers, twisties or the continental 'pain aux twizzles' – as they are known by some of you who attend our over fire cookery courses.

    What is another name for a twist tie? ›

    It is also called garden twist wire. A twist tie is used by wrapping it around the item to be fastened, then twisting the ends together.

    What is the metal in twist ties? ›

    The metal wire that is generally used in a twist tie is stainless or galvanized steel and typically measures between the gauges of 19 (. 0410″ diameter) and 31 (. 0132″) (American Standard Wire Gauge).

    What is the meaning of twist together? ›

    to combine, as two or more strands or threads, by winding together; intertwine. to form by or as if by winding strands together: Several fibers were used to twist the rope. to entwine (one thing) with another; interlace (something) with something else; interweave; plait.

    What are bread twist ties made of? ›

    Twist ties are simple devices consisting of thin metal wires encased in strips of plastic or paper. Though twist ties were originally designed to secure the openings of garbage bags, bread bags, and the like, they now find use in a vast number of applications.

    What is the purpose of a bread bag? ›

    It is a bag in which to store your bread. In my opinion, the best bread bag is made from 100% linen. Linen is highly absorbent and it has natural antibacterial properties. It allows your bread to breathe which keeps the crust crispy and the interior moist.

    How long is bread good for? ›

    Information. Commercially baked breads and rolls can be stored at room temperature for 2 to 4 days or 7 to 14 days in the refrigerator. Bread products retain their quality when stored in the freezer for 3 months. Any breads containing meat or hard cooked eggs must be refrigerated within 2 hours.

    What is the best day to buy bread? ›

    If you want fresh bread, come Saturday morning, Monday morning or Thursday morning and in that order. Saturday, bread guys stock up for the weekend. On average 35 - 40 percent of all week sales occur on those days.

    Why do American restaurants give free bread? ›

    It is a way to start the dining experience out on the right foot. People arrive to a restaurant hungry, and they get to start enjoying the experience right away. Free bread also has the added benefit of keeping guests from growing impatient as they wait for their order to be taken and food to arrive.

    What happens if you bake bread after the first rise? ›

    “While you have some wiggle room with the first rise, the second rise needs to be more accurate to get a nice full loaf,” Maggie explains. If baked too soon or too late, loaves can collapse and have a dense, gummy center.

    What is the name of the thing that closes bread? ›

    They are also commonly called bread tags, bread tabs, bread ties, bread buckles, or bread-bag clips. By sealing a bag more securely than tying or folding over its open end, and thus providing a nearly hermetic seal, the contents are preserved longer.

    What is the circular bread thing? ›

    Boule is a French term meaning bread in a round shape. It's a simple shaping style. Typically, it's the first shaping technique new bakers learn. It requires only a few motions to transform a shaggy, divided dough into a uniform round that will bake beautifully in the oven.

    Why do you braid bread? ›

    Braided ones, which may have three, four, or six strands, are the most common, and because they look like arms intertwined, symbolize love. Three braids symbolize truth, peace, and justice. Twelve humps from two small or one large braided bread recall the miracle of the 12 loaves for the 12 tribes of Israel.

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