Theory 110/Bread staling/Threshold lens
Staling Peaks Near Freezing
The claim
Staling is fastest above a threshold just above freezing, because retrogradation is maximised where mobility is low but not arrested.
01Mechanism
Crystal growth requires molecular mobility; the threshold marks where mobility is just sufficient.
02Prediction
Staling rate should peak near that temperature.
03Refutation
Staling increasing with warmth would remove the optimum.