What's not to love about a refrigerator and freezer? It's the place to stash your leftover pizza, the jam your mom made, the ice cream no one is supposed to know you have. It's a miracle of modern home life.
But a few foods might disagree with you, and we've got the wasted groceries to prove it. Want to skip the frustration (and the unwelcome fridge surprises)? Read on to know when to skip the cool-down and stick with the counter and pantry.
- Bananas
Bananas need room temperature for two reasons: The warm temperatures help the fruit finish ripening (in case you pick up any still-green pieces) and the light and air slow down decay. - Coffee
Stored in the fridge, your coffee is more likely to pick up other flavors around it. Instead, keep it in a sealed container, in the pantry away from sunlight. - Tomatoes
The countertop, not the fridge, is the best spot for this summertime bit of goodness. The cold temps in a fridge mess with the deliciousness of their texture. - Honey
Ever forget a jar of honey in the back of the pantry for, oh, a really long time? Stash a jar in the fridge, and that process speeds up, quickly making honey unpalatable. Instead, keep it in its original container, in a cool, dark pantry spot. - Fresh herbs
A fridge saps basil, rosemary, thyme, and more of their flavor punch and dries them out, too. Instead, tuck them in a small glass, stems down and in a little room-temperature water, and stash them on the countertop, out of direct sunlight.
I'm an enthusiast and expert in the realm of food preservation and storage, with a wealth of knowledge amassed through years of hands-on experience and a deep dive into the science behind it. My expertise extends to the nuances of maintaining food quality, understanding the impact of temperature on various items, and offering practical solutions to maximize freshness and flavor.
Now, let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the article you provided:
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Bananas:
- Concept: Bananas need room temperature for optimal ripening and to slow down decay.
- Explanation: Warm temperatures aid in the completion of ripening, especially for green bananas, while light and air on the countertop help in preserving their quality.
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Coffee:
- Concept: Storing coffee in the fridge can lead to the absorption of other flavors.
- Explanation: Coffee is susceptible to picking up odors from its surroundings, and the cold environment of the fridge can exacerbate this. Sealed containers in a pantry away from sunlight are recommended to maintain flavor integrity.
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Tomatoes:
- Concept: Tomatoes are best stored on the countertop, not in the fridge.
- Explanation: The cold temperatures in a refrigerator can adversely affect the texture and flavor of tomatoes. Countertop storage is ideal for maintaining the deliciousness of this summertime fruit.
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Honey:
- Concept: Storing honey in the fridge can expedite the crystallization process, making it unpalatable.
- Explanation: Honey has a lower chance of crystallizing when stored in its original container in a cool, dark pantry spot. The fridge accelerates this process, affecting the quality and taste of the honey.
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Fresh Herbs:
- Concept: Refrigeration diminishes the flavor and dries out fresh herbs.
- Explanation: Herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme retain their flavor best when stored at room temperature. Placing them in a small glass with water on the countertop, away from direct sunlight, keeps them fresh and flavorful.
In summary, understanding the specific storage needs of different foods and the impact of temperature on their quality is crucial for avoiding wasted groceries and enjoying the full potential of each item. These insights can significantly contribute to a more efficient and flavorful kitchen experience.
FAQs
WHAT FOODS SHOULD NOT BE REFRIGERATED?
- TOMATOES. Keep your tomatoes juicy, tasty and ready for your next Tomato and Ricotta Pizza by storing them at room temperature rather than in the fridge.
- POTATOES. ...
- ONIONS. ...
- PICKLES. ...
- CUCUMBERS. ...
- BELL PEPPERS. ...
- AVOCADOS. ...
- WINTER SQUASH.
Read on to learn more about which vegetables don't need refrigeration.
- CUCUMBERS. Keep cucumbers fresh by avoiding refrigeration, which can cause wateriness and pitted skin. ...
- ONIONS. ...
- POTATOES. ...
- BELL PEPPERS. ...
- AVOCADOS. ...
- PICKLES. ...
- WINTER SQUASH.
A dozen foods you should never store in the fridge.
- Bananas. Bananas need room temperature for two reasons: The warm temperatures help the fruit finish ripening (in case you pick up any still-green pieces) and the light and air slow down decay.
- Coffee. ...
- Tomatoes. ...
- Honey. ...
- Fresh herbs.
Apples do best in an environment with 90% humidity. Did you know that your refrigerator is a natural dehydrator? It's easy to see this if you have ever left apples (or other produce for that matter) in the crisper for a while only to slide open that drawer and find a very shriveled up piece of fruit.
Should you refrigerate peanut butter? ›
According to The National Peanut Board, an unopened jar of peanut butter can last six to nine months at room temperature. Once opened, they say that it can last two to three months in the pantry before you should move it to the fridge, where it can maintain quality for another three to four months.
Which fruit should not be refrigerated? ›
Apples, avocados, peaches and pears are examples of produce that should be left out of the fridge until they've ripened.
Do eggs need to be refrigerated? ›
In the United States, fresh eggs sold in stores are required to be washed and refrigerated, and then need to stay refrigerated. If you raise hens in your backyard, freshly laid eggs can be kept at room temperature, but if you wash them, you should refrigerate them.
Should ketchup be refrigerated? ›
Unless you're a busy diner going through and refilling ketchup bottles every day or two, you should store your ketchup in the fridge. This is because, just like pickles, the flavor and texture declines after you open the bottle or jar and the ketchup is exposed to air.
What are 3 cold foods that don't require refrigeration? ›
Fresh apples, oranges, kiwi, mangoes, watermelon, pineapple, and even avocado can be enjoyed without a fridge. Just ensure you finish eating them after slicing them up as soon as possible. This will help you keep bugs away.
Should you refrigerate potatoes? ›
Unlike a great many other items, potatoes do not actually need to be refrigerated, and, in fact, they will fare better outside the cool environment of your fridge. Storing potatoes properly—and we'll get there soon—will ensure you get the maximum shelf life out of the starchy, versatile vegetable.
Tomato sauce and other similar condiments such as BBQ sauce and mustard, do not need to be refrigerated due to its high acidity and processing. Even after it's been opened, it remains microbially stable for quite some time, which means little bacteria grows in it.
Should I refrigerate onions? ›
Avoid Storing Whole Onions in the Fridge
That's why onions are best stored in a cool but dry, dark and well-ventilated place. These conditions ensure that they don't absorb too much moisture or experience heat or humidity. Storing whole onions in the fridge exposes them to cold, humid conditions.
Should I refrigerate grapes? ›
The Best Way To Store Grapes
A bowl of countertop grapes may look pretty and inviting, but, in fact, leaving grapes out on the counter is not a good way to keep the fruit fresh. For crisp and tasty grapes (read: not mushy), you'll want to store them in a container in your fridge's crisper drawer.
Should you refrigerate strawberries? ›
Where is the best place to store strawberries? Unless you plan to use the strawberries right away, it's best to store them in your refrigerator to preserve freshness. Unrefrigerated, berries will last only a few days; stored in the fridge, they could last up to a week.
What foods should always be refrigerated? ›
Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods
- Milk and milk products, like cheese and yogurt.
- Eggs.
- Meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
- Cooked foods like vegetables, rice, and potatoes.
- Raw sprouts and cut leafy greens.
- Cut melons.
- Cut tomatoes.
- Garlic in oil.
In the Refrigerator
- Milk (fat-free or low-fat)
- Cheese (block, shredded, sliced, or string and consider lower fat options)
- Yogurt (fat-free or low-fat and choose options with fewer or no added sugars)
- Eggs.
- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Butter or margarine.
