4 min read
FOODS YOU SHOULD NOT REFRIGERATE

Below is a list of foods that should not be refrigerated:-

  • Unripe 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.
  • Unripe Avocado:-Super-unripe avocados have a hard time finishing the ripening process in the fridge. Instead, leave them on the countertop.
  • Unripe Mangoes:-Raw mangoes must not be refrigerated as cooling slows down their ripening. It also makes the mangoes hard in texture. It is advisable to store only ripened mangoes in a refrigerator for that keeps them firm, sweet and fresh.
  • 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:- If you 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.
  • Oil:-Much like honey, vegetable, olive, coconut, and other cooking oils will quickly solidify in the fridge. Keep them on a cool, dark shelf in the pantry instead.
  • Melons:-For melons, the counter is the best spot until you cut them up; then store them in the fridge.
  • Onions:-Unless cut up, onions should go in the pantry. They should be stored next to potatoes as the gases released by the two tend to accelerate spoilage.
  • Potatoes:-Need to live in room-temperature storage to maintain their texture.
  • Garlic:-Should be stored in room temperature.
  • Cucumbers:-For optimal preservation of cucumbers, avoid storing them in the fridge as this may cause them to become watery and develop pits. Instead, store them in an airtight container in your pantry or on the countertop. 
  • Bell Peppers:-For optimal crispness, bell peppers should be stored at room temperature. Keeping them in the fridge can make their exterior less crunchy. 
  • Apples:-Apples can remain fresh and delicious for up to a week or two on the counter.
  • Pears:-ears only need to go in the fridge if they're going to spoil soon (as in a couple of days). Pears that aren't ripe should definitely go on the counter to continue the ripening process. 
  • Berries:-To keep berries fresh for a longer time, it's best to store them at room temperature outside the fridge. Moisture build-up may damage the fruit, so it's recommended not to wash them until you're ready to consume. Not only does it help to maintain the ideal texture and flavor, but it also ensures you can enjoy them at their ripest peak. 
  • Bread:-For fresh bread, don't refrigerate. Instead, leave it uncovered at room temperature as long as you are going to finish it by the end of the day. If not, you can store it in a bread box, a paper sack or you can freeze it. When ready to eat, toast to thaw, preserving moisture and flavor. 
  • Coffee:-For a delicious cup of coffee every time, don't refrigerate your grounds or beans. Instead, store them in a cool, dry area at room temperature in an airtight container. This will preserve the captivating aroma and flavor of your beloved brew.
  • Hot Sauce:-To preserve the rich flavor and intense heat of your hot sauce, it is recommended to store it in the pantry unless otherwise specified on the label.  
  • Nuts:-Preserve the flavor of nuts such as cashews and almonds by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature instead of the refrigerator. 
  • Olive Oil:-To prevent olive oil from solidifying in the refrigerator, it is advised to store it in a cool and dark area in your kitchen. 
  • Peanut Butter:-Peanut butter maintains its spreadable consistency at room temperature for three months, after which refrigeration is recommended. 
  • Vinegar:-Vinegar's high acidity levels make it well-suited for storage at room temperature. 
  • Ketchup:-While you can pop the bottle into the fridge if you want to preserve quality for up to six months, it's safe to keep in your cupboard. 
  • Mustard:-It has plenty of vinegar in it, and vinegar is an amazing preservative. Like most condiments, mustard does perfectly fine on the counter or pantry. 
  • BBQ Sauce:-BBQ sauce tends to have plenty of salt and vinegar to keep it fresh on the counter (like many other condiments on the list). This means it'll stay fresh even when left out on the counter. An unopened bottle of BBQ sauce can be left out for more than six months.
  • Molasses:-It tastes great for 6 months after opening when kept in the pantry.
  • Salad Dressing:-Just like other condiments, most salad dressing, especially ones that are vinegar or oil-based, are just fine stored outside the fridge. 
  • Cereal:-This can be stored in room temperature.
  • Jams and Jellies:-Due to the high amount of preservatives in jams and jellies, it is acceptable to store without refrigeration, even after opening. 
  • Spices:-Ground spices need no refrigeration whatsoever. 
  • Peaches, Plums and Nectarines:-Leave these stone fruits at room temperature until they soften and grow sweet. Placing them in a paper bag can help speed up the process. You can stick stone fruits in the refrigerator once they're ripe, but keep in mind that the dry air will eventually dehydrate and wrinkle the fruit. 
  • Pumpkin:-If you really want to extend your pumpkin's shelf-life, it should be kept at room temperature away from moisture. Moisture could decrease the life of your delicious fall fruit. Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, can be very harmful to the pumpkin. Keep them in a controlled environment like the pantry or a cupboard.
  • Flour:-Flour is a baking staple that should be stored at room temperature. This is a great example of when you shouldn't trust the "best by" date. Flour can actually last six to eight months past its printed “best by” date if stored in an airtight container in a dark, cool cupboard. 
  • Lemons and Limes:-Some fruits are perfectly fine if kept on the counter, and that's the case with lemons and limes. These citruses are perfectly fine on your counter for a week or two.
  • Tortilla:-Tortillas are a lot like bread. Throwing them in the fridge could cause them to go stale much faster than desired. The moisture trapped in the bags could also make it mold before it gets used! The most important thing is to store your tortillas at a steady temperature (i.e. not cooling it off and warming it up multiple times).  
  • Green beans:-Green beans are yummy and very inexpensive. They also do pretty well outside of the refrigerator...as long as you don't wash them. Once the moisture is introduced, the decaying process begins. Whether it's in the fridge or on the counter, you have a few days to consume your green beans, even if they're uncut. 
  • Okra:-Okra is a southern vegetable. It prefers hotter environments. In fact, it almost thrives in it as long as it isn't cut yet! Like some of the other veggies on this list, you can keep the pods unwashed on your counter for a week or more without them even showing signs of decay. 

Food Storage Tips:-

  • Refrigerate or freeze your perishable items right away
  • Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are set to the right temperature
  • Always check the storage directions on your food labels
  • Keep your refrigerator organized so you don’t lose track of expired items
  • Always keep foods covered in the refrigerator
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