Think Twice Before Buying Scones From The Grocery Store Bakery - Tasting Table

"Wandering the aisles of your local grocery store, the bakery is a sweet-toothed siren call; the wafting smell of scones is irresistible. Unfortunately, though, there's a good reason why you should think twice about buying the scones from grocery store -- who really knows how long they've sat there? Scones stale fast, and finding the freshest scone is a race against time. There are a few reasons for this."

"Firstly, preservatives make a world of difference. Buying scones from a bakery is similar to preparing a batch at home; texture and flavor deteriorate since they lack the ingredients of shelf-stable alternatives. Secondly, at most grocery bakeries, display conditions are below optimal. In airtight containers, scones last up to two days, but open-air shelves are not designed for long-term storage, exposing scones to dry air and causing them to become crumbly and tough."

Scones sold at grocery stores often stale rapidly because they lack preservatives and are exposed to dry air. Bakery-style scones resemble homemade batches and therefore lose texture and flavor sooner than shelf-stable alternatives. Many grocery-store display cases are open-air rather than airtight, preventing long-term storage and causing scones to become crumbly and tough. Unclear display timing and logistics make it difficult to know how long a scone has been on the shelf. Reheating in an oven or microwave can sometimes soften a hardened pastry, but buying from independent bakeries or coffee shops increases the chance of obtaining scones at peak freshness.

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