We all know the feeling of opening up the fridge and seeing nothing but wilted veggies and moldy fruit. It’s frustrating, and it happens to the best of us. But what if we told you that there are some foods you should never refrigerate?
From tomatoes to honey, there are a number of foods that don’t need to be kept cold in order to stay fresh. In fact, keeping them in the fridge can actually do more harm than good. We’ll share 10 foods you should never refrigerate, so you can make the most of your food storage space.
Honey
Honey is one of the oldest sweeteners in the world and has been used for centuries. It is made by bees from the nectar of flowers and is stored in their honeycomb. Honey has many benefits and can be used in a variety of ways.
When it comes to storage, honey does not need to be refrigerated. In fact, it’s best to keep honey at room temperature. Refrigerating honey can cause it to crystallize and harden. If your honey has crystallized, you can place the jar in a pot of warm water to soften it.
Unripe avocados
When it comes to avocados, many people think that the colder the better. However, this is not the case for unripe avocados. Unripe avocados should never be refrigerated as this will make them spoil faster. If you want your avocado to ripen, simply leave it out on the countertop at room temperature. Once it’s ripe, you can then store it in the fridge if you’d like.
Tomatoes
When it comes to tomatoes, refrigeration is a no-no. Cold temperatures cause the fruit to lose its flavor and become mealy. If you’re not going to eat your tomatoes within a day or two, store them on the counter at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.
Melons
One food that you may not know needs to be kept out of the fridge is melon. Melons, like other fruits, contain enzymes that are sensitive to temperature changes. When melons are stored in the fridge, these enzymes are inhibited, which can lead to a loss of flavor. If you want your melon to taste its best, store it at room temperature.
Bread
Bread is one of those foods that many people mistakenly believe should be refrigerated. The truth is, bread is best stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Refrigerating bread can cause it to become stale and hard. If you want to keep your bread fresh for longer, freezing is a better option than refrigeration.
Nuts
Nuts are one of the foods you should never refrigerate. They can go rancid quickly when exposed to oxygen and moisture, so it’s best to store them in a cool, dry place. If you must refrigerate them, be sure to seal them tightly in an airtight container or bag.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most versatile and flavorful ingredients in many cuisines, but it doesn’t do well in the fridge. The cool, moist environment of the fridge causes garlic to sprout and can make it moldy. Store garlic at room temperature in a dry, dark place; an uncovered garlic bulb will last about a month. If you’re using garlic that you’ve already peeled, store it in a jar or other container with a tight lid to keep it from drying out.
Apples
Apples are a fruit that many people enjoy eating fresh. However, you should never store apples in the refrigerator. Apples will lose their flavor and become mealy if stored in the cold. The best place to store apples is in a cool, dry, and dark place like a pantry or cellar. If you need to refrigerate apples, do so for no more than two weeks.
Spices
There are certain spices that can lose their flavor when exposed to cold temperatures. These spices include:
-Cumin
-Curry powder
-Ginger
-Paprika
-Pepper
-Turmeric
If you want to keep these spices fresh, it’s best to store them in a cool, dry place like a pantry or cabinet.
Coffee
When it comes to coffee, the general rule of thumb is that you should never refrigerate your beans or grounds. Coffee is a sensitive food product that can easily absorb flavors and odors from other foods in your fridge. The moisture in the fridge can also cause your coffee to go stale faster. If you must store your coffee in the fridge, make sure it’s in an airtight container so that it doesn’t pick up any unwanted flavors.
