The refrigerator is without a doubt one of the greatest inventions in history. It allows you to keep food safely and conveniently, and it also gives you access to ice cold beverages.
Did you know that there are numerous foods that we should never refrigerate? We’re fully aware of how crucial modern refrigerator technology is in every home and kitchen. It contributes a lot to keeping our food fresh and of high quality.
Despite common belief, refrigerating particular meals might alter their flavor (not in a good way), according to certain studies. This is not the case. It can also lower their nutritional value or accelerate the spoiling process. Here are some food items that should never be kept in the fridge. We’re sure some of them are already residing in your refrigerator!
1. Avocado
Avocado toast is a favorite of everyone, right? It’s delicious, and it’s definitely a sign of the times. If you’ve ever waited for an avocado to ripe, you know how difficult it can be. However, leaving avocados at room temperature on the counter or if they’re ripe allow them to ripen more quickly. You don’t want to throw away a perfectly good avocado!
To encourage avocados to ripen, keep them in brown paper bags with an apple or banana for a few days.
2. Donuts
What’s more delectable than fresh, hot donuts straight out of the oven? Our tummies are rumbling just thinking about it. But how can you keep them if you bought too many? Which, frankly, sounds like an issue we could all do without.
Never put them in the fridge, as they’ll get soggy and flavorless. Simply ensure that they’re kept covered at room temperature. Keep in mind that they won’t last long; you might only have two days before they spoil. That’s enough reason to gobble down that second doughnut, we suppose!
3. Aged Cheese
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “It’s best not to put dairy products in the fridge.” Wrong! Cheese enthusiasts may be aware that hard cheeses should never be refrigerated; after being kept in the refrigerator, they become rock hard. Hard cheese goes through a curing process and is then cured until it no longer needs to be chilled. So, what’s the best way to store cheese? If you’re storing hard cheese, keep it cool and dark, such as your pantry or cupboard.
Only aged cheeses are affected by this; other cheeses must be refrigerated.
4. Garlic
Garlic that is still on the plant should be kept in your pantry or other cool, dry location. They should be stored in a container with ventilation holes. If you keep them inside an airtight container, they will mold quickly. Garlic will last for months if stored correctly.
After the head of the garlic clove is broken, drain and squeeze out all of the garlic cloves. Garlic is a powerful antioxidant, so make sure you use it up in as little time as possible to retain its health benefits.
5. Onions
Whole, uncut onion bulbs should never be refrigerated. If you do, they will soon sprout mold and soften due to the humidity in the fridge. When onions are cooled, their starch molecules are converted to sugars
The onion will liquefy if allowed to chill in the fridge for a long enough period of time. Nobody wants to eat that. Onions should be kept in a cool, dry location in an open container or in the mesh bag they come packaged in.
6. Eggs
This is a debatable food to avoid the refrigerator. However, eggs may be kept at room temperature without ill effect. However, if you buy eggs from the refrigerated section, they should be kept in the refrigerator until use
If you buy eggs at room temperature, it’s safe to keep doing so or refrigerate them if you like. “A fresh, free-range egg should last beautifully in the fridge for a week,” according on Tim Hayward, presenter of the BBC Radio 4 Food Program.
7. Coffee
Keep your coffee or coffee beans at room temperature, not in the fridge or freezer. This is what all the authorities advise: including Starbucks. The cold and moist environment of the refrigerator and freezer will make your coffee flavorless and less aromatic
The primary reason to consider freezing coffee is if you purchased in large quantities and will not be using it right away, or if you are a once-a-year coffee drinker who keeps it on hand for guests.
8. Honey
Honey will crystallize and solidify if it is kept in the fridge. It’s not a good idea. Honey should be stored in your pantry, according to experts, rather than in the refrigerator or freezer. Botulism can be fatal and honey SHOULD NOT be fed to children under 12 months old since it is poisonous.
Honey doesn’t really go bad, technically speaking. Although the color and texture of honey will alter over time, it is resistant to rotting as long as it is stored correctly due to its high sugar content.
9. Butter
The fourth and final step is to take your espresso, steam it again (to get rid of excess froth), then add cream or milk. This next one will undoubtedly be controversial. But butter may actually be kept out of the fridge. And when you try it, you’ll see why. Room-temperature butter is like heavenly on earth in.
Butter should be kept in a cool, dark place outside of direct sunlight at all times. Butter is pasteurized and salted to keep it from spoiling. You should also think about where you reside. If you reside in a hot environment, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be able to store it outside the fridge.
10. Melon
At room temperature, melons are sweetest and juiciest. This also applies to watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melons. The USDA actually conducted a study on the subject and found that being at room temperature contributes to antioxidant retention.
The melon has more antioxidants and is more delicious when it’s stored at room temperature. Wrap the remaining pieces in cling film and put them in the fridge after you’ve cut the melon. The sliced melon should keep for at least three days.
11. Peanut Butter
What do you get when you combine a crunchy peanut butter, like Peter Pan or Skippy, with creamy peanut butter such as Nuttelex? You get peanuts that are both yummy and hard. Peanuts need no refrigeration because they don’t spoil. Apart from not spreading, peanut butter will become dry and hard if left in the ice
However, natural peanut butter is a different story. It’s best to keep natural peanut butter in the fridge, according to the labels on these products. When natural peanut butter is left unprotected from heat or light, its components may separate and the peanut oil can go rancid rapidly.
12. Olive Oil
Keeping your olive oil in the refrigerator is a terrible idea. Refrigerators are damp and humid environments, thus any condensation that forms will have an adverse effect on the flavor of your oil. It will also cause the color and consistency of your oil to change over time.
Instead of the fridge, consider storing your olive oil in a cool, dark cupboard. It should last at least a year if properly stored. Unopened bottles of olive oil can even last up to two years if kept in a cool, dark place. Don’t be concerned if your olive oil is changing consistency in the fridge and becoming thick. Simply!
13. Pickles
If you buy pickles in the refrigerated section of a grocery store, it’s best to keep them in the fridge at home. However, because to their contents, most pickles don’t need to be refrigerated
The high salt and vinegar content in pickle jars is sufficient to keep harmful germs and microorganisms at bay. Pickling something is, after all, a type of food preservation, so your pickles should last for quite some time.
14. Vinegar
Maintaining meals such as vinegar is not as difficult as many people think. When stored correctly, they can last a long time. It has an exceptionally long shelf life. It’s best to store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Only plain vinegar should be kept in this manner.
Condiments such as vinaigrettes with herbs, garlic, or onion additions may require refrigeration. If you still have doubts about vinegar’s long shelf life, the Vinegar Institute did a study to prove it.
15. Berries
Berries are delicate to store and, if handled incorrectly, can mold and become soggy quickly. It’s not ideal to keep berries in the refrigerator, but it’s fine if you plan on consuming them soon. At room temperature, they stay juicy and firm.
No dishwashing, please! Rinse the berries just before using them to decrease the chance of molding. Wash them in a colander when you do rinse them. Don’t put those delicate berries in water. You may store them for longer-term usage if kept in an air-tight container, but make sure they’re not submerged in water. This also goes for strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and other berry varieties.