Frank ess wrote:
[...touching tale of privation bravely borne snipped...]
> I remember learning the difference between French bread and anyone
> else's was that it contained no milk products.

Not sure about milk products, but the reason French and other bread
doesn't keep is that it's very lean: the classic English-type bread
has, IIRC, an ounce of lard to a pound or two of flour.

--
Mike.