Bread goes stale fastest when it cannot breathe. A sealed container traps steam and softens a good crust within hours, which is why this basket leaves the base deliberately open. Air moves under the loaf as well as around it.
Why the base is open
We weave the floor of this basket in a loose lattice, leaving gaps of about a centimetre between the strips. It looks delicate but the rim carries all the strength, so the open base never sags. Line it with a linen cloth if you are serving something small like rolls.
- A round sourdough or a small loaf
- Warm rolls straight from the oven
- Flatbreads and crackers
- Fruit on a breakfast table
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Base | Open lattice weave |
| Shape | Oval, 28 x 18 cm |
| Depth | 7 cm |
| Rim | Doubled and tucked |
A fresh loaf straight from the oven is fine here, but let it cool for ten minutes first so the leaf is not steamed from below.
When it is not holding bread it makes a good fruit dish, a tidy home for napkins, or a shallow tray for the coffee table.
