When you bring home your groceries, the first thing you probably do is separate them and store them either in the fridge or outside. But have you ever wondered if you’re putting the right foods in the fridge? It’s important to remember that every food item requires a different temperature to maintain its nutrients and other properties.
Here’s a roundup of 11 foods you should NEVER put in the fridge:
1. Bananas
Bananas should be stored at room temperature. The warm surroundings help the fruit ripen fully and prevent it from decaying.
2. Avocados
Avocados can be tricky. Keeping them in the refrigerator halts the ripening process, so store them on the counter at room temperature. If they’re already ripe, use them immediately. To speed up the ripening process, place avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. These fruits release ethylene gas, which helps avocados ripen faster, usually within two or three days.
3. Apples
Apples produce ethylene, which can cause other fruits and vegetables to ripen quickly if stored together. For a week or two, apples can be left on the counter where they add a splash of color to your kitchen. If you do opt to refrigerate them, keep them separate from other produce to avoid spoilage. Remember, one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch!
4. Garlic
Whole bulbs of garlic should be kept in a cool, dry place like your pantry. Store them in a ventilated container to prevent molding, as airtight containers can make garlic mold quickly. Stored correctly, garlic can last for months.
5. Potatoes
Raw potatoes should be stored in a basket in the open, not in the fridge. The cold temperature changes the complex carbohydrates in raw potatoes, making them sweet and altering their taste when cooked.
6. Onions
Whole, uncut onions should also avoid the fridge. The fridge’s humidity can make them moldy and mushy, and the cold converts starches into sugars. This can eventually cause the onions to liquefy. Store onions in a cool, dry place in a ventilated container, or simply keep them in the mesh bag they came in. Also, avoid refrigerating garlic for the same reasons.
7. Eggs
This one can be contentious. However, eggs can be stored at room temperature just fine. Generally, if you buy eggs from the refrigerated section, it’s best to continue refrigerating them. If purchased at room temperature, you can store them the same way.
8. Bread
You will be shocked to know that bread can become stale and dry, when you store it in the fridge. Yes, you heard us right! Try to keep it in the pantry.
9. Donuts
There is nothing more delicious than a freshly baked donut. But what do you do when you have too many? Firstly, that sounds like an amazing problem. Secondly, don’t fret, and whatever you do, don’t put them in the fridge.
The fridge will make your donuts stale and soggy so it’s best to just keep them at room temperature and make sure that they are covered. They won’t last long, though. Freshly-baked donuts should only be kept for around two days maximum.
10. Tomatoes
Your haul of fresh tomatoes belongs on the counter, not in the refrigerator. The cold, humid atmosphere inside the fridge can affect the texture of your tomatoes before you have a chance to use them. Just make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight. Cherry tomatoes are the only variety that tend to stand up to time in the fridge without turning mushy or mealy too quickly.
11. Honey
Cold temperatures can cause honey to crystallize more quickly than when stored in a dark, cool place like your pantry. Keep in mind that, over time, honey will always crystallize eventually.
