Here are 11 products that are better kept out of the refrigerator. However, in some cases, exceptions are possible, reports the portal “Martha Stewart”.
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Bananas
Unripe bananas should not be put in the refrigerator because the cold slows down natural ripening. Also, their peel can quickly darken or even turn black.
It is best to keep unripe bananas at room temperature until they reach the desired ripeness. Ripe fruits can be placed in the refrigerator for a few days, which will slightly extend their shelf life.
Basil
Basil is sensitive to cold. In the refrigerator, its leaves can wrinkle, turn black, and lose their attractive appearance.
Fresh basil is best kept at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. The stems can be trimmed and placed in a glass of water, similar to a bouquet of flowers.
Bread
If you plan to eat bread quickly, the refrigerator is not the best place for it. In the cold, it loses moisture, dries out faster, and hardens.
For a short time, it is better to leave bread in a breadbox or another cool and dry kitchen spot. If you plan to store the baked goods longer, you can freeze them. The refrigerator can be useful for homemade or quickly molding bread, but its texture may still deteriorate.
Chocolate
Moisture affects chocolate in the refrigerator, so white spots may appear on its surface. This does not mean the chocolate has gone bad or become unsafe, but its appearance and texture may change.
Chocolate is best stored in a cool, dry place protected from light and heat. If it is very hot at home and the chocolate starts to melt, it can be placed in the refrigerator, but it should be tightly wrapped first.
Oil
Cold-pressed olive or avocado oil can thicken, become cloudy, or even partially solidify in the refrigerator. Although this does not necessarily mean the product has spoiled, its texture and taste may change.
Most edible oils are better stored in a dark, cool cupboard, in a tightly closed dark glass bottle or metal container.
Garlic
Whole, unpeeled garlic heads can soften faster and start sprouting in the refrigerator. The sprouts are edible but may be bitter.
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Garlic is best stored in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place. However, peeled or chopped garlic cloves should be kept in the refrigerator.
Honey
Low temperature does not spoil honey, but it can thicken a lot, crystallize, and become difficult to spread or mix.
Due to its high sugar content, honey naturally lasts a long time. It is best stored tightly closed in a dark kitchen cupboard at room temperature.
Onions
In the cold, the starch in onions can turn into sugar, making them softer and giving them an unusually sweet taste. Also, the strong onion smell can transfer to other products stored in the refrigerator.
Healthy onions are best stored in a cool, dry, and ventilated place. A cut onion should be tightly wrapped and placed in the refrigerator.
Uncut melons
Whole melons can absorb the odors of other products in the refrigerator. The cold also slows their ripening, and the flesh can become grainy or overly soft.
Uncut melons are advised to be kept at room temperature, in a dry place, and away from direct sunlight. However, cut melon must be stored in the refrigerator.
Peanut butter
Regular peanut butter usually contains emulsifiers and preservatives that help prevent separation and spoilage at room temperature. Therefore, it does not need to be stored in the refrigerator.
The exception is natural peanut butter without preservatives. Once opened, it is recommended to keep it in the refrigerator to prevent the fats from going rancid and the product from molding. It is always worth checking the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging.
Potatoes
It is better not to keep healthy, unpeeled potatoes in the refrigerator. At low temperatures, the starch in them turns into sugar, which changes the taste and texture of the cooked product.
Potatoes are best kept in a dark, cool, and well-ventilated place. They should not be stored near onions or certain fruits, as this can accelerate sprouting.
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