13 Foods You Shouldn’t Store in the Fridge
The refrigerator has become one of the most vital appliances in any modern kitchen. It helps keep food fresh and prevents spoilage. However, not all foods are meant to be stored in the fridge. In fact, some foods can actually spoil faster or lose their flavor if you store them in the fridge. Here are 13 foods that you shouldn’t store in the fridge.
1. Bread
Storing bread in the fridge will make it go stale faster. That’s because the cold temperatures cause the bread to dry out and become hard. If you want your bread to stay fresh for as long as possible, store it in a cool, dark place like a bread box or on the countertop.
2. Cake
Similar to bread, a cake is best kept at room temperature, where it will stay fresh for longer. Nevertheless, if you must store the cake in the fridge, be sure to wrap it tightly so that it doesn’t dry out.
3. Onions
Onions are another food that should not be kept in the fridge. The reason onions don’t do well in the fridge is that they tend to absorb moisture and odors from other foods, which makes them spoil quickly. If you want your onions to last, store them in a cool, dry place like a pantry or cupboard otherwise, they’ll sprout.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes should never be stored in the fridge. They can lose their flavor and become mealy when they are stored in the fridge. This is because tomatoes don’t like cold temperatures. If you want to keep your tomatoes fresh for as long as possible, store them on the countertop or in a bowl on the countertop.
If it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, don’t put it there! Tomatoes, oranges and lemons are all fine without fridge.
5. Honey
Honey doesn’t go bad, so there’s no need to store it in the fridge. The simple truth is, keeping honey in the fridge will make it crystallize and difficult to use. If you want to keep your honey fresh, keep it in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Make sure to seal the container tightly.
6. Garlic
Garlic should be kept in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard but not in the fridge. Storing garlic in the fridge will cause it to sprout and go bad more quickly.
7. Coffee
Coffee bean or ground forms are best kept at room temperature, away from light. Storing them in the fridge will make them lose their flavor quickly. If you must store your coffee beans in the fridge, make sure they’re tightly sealed, so they don’t absorb any unwanted flavors from other food items stored nearby.
8. Melons
You can store melons at room temperature until you cut them into slices or cubes. Once they are cut, you can put them in the fridge, where they will last for 3-5 days. Do not store unripe or whole melons in the fridge because they will not ripen properly.
9. Avocado
Avocados should be stored at room temperature until they are ripe. Once they are ripe, you can store them in the fridge for a day or two.
10. Bananas
Believe it or not, you shouldn’t store bananas in the fridge because they will turn brown and mushy. Instead, store them at room temperature, where they will ripen slowly and evenly.
11. Peanut Butter
Your peanut butter is best left at room temperature. Storing it in the fridge will make it difficult to spread and change its texture.
12. Potatoes
Did you know that storing potatoes in the fridge will actually make them go bad faster? Yes. the cold temperature of the fridge causes the starch in potatoes to turn into sugar, making them sweeter but also less nutritious. If you want your potatoes to last, store them in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard.
13. Spices and herbs
Spices and herbs can be stored in small canning jars or zippered plastic bags. If you store them in the fridge, they will wilt and lose their flavor.
Conclusion
The next time you’re tempted to put one of these food items into your refrigerator, think twice! These foods are best kept at room temperature if you want to extend their shelf life and preserve their flavor profile as much as possible!
