A lot of us have been brought up to think of the fridge as a place to increase the shelf life of food and drink. Certain foods, when put in the fridge, can taste different and their textures can be ruined.
Before you unpack your weekly shop - here's a list of 17 food items that are happy OUT of the fridge. Putting them inside the fridge may lead to spoiled produce, so an awareness of the following items will mean you waste a lot less food.
1. Garlic
It's best to store your garlic in a dry, dark place. If you put it in the fridge, the bulbs will start to sprout and the taste will be ruined!
2. Onions
Don't keep onions in the fridge - they'll dry out. Store them at room temperature for four days, allowing plenty of air to circulate around them.
Do not store them near potatoes, as they are not friends - spuds give off moisture will cause your onions to spoil.
3. Basil
Keep basil fresh by cutting the stems and placing it in a jar with water. Treat basil like they're a bunch of flowers - it will certainly make the room smell lovely.
4. Hard Avocados
There's nothing worse than a hard avocado... actually maybe finding it rotten is worse!
Storing a hard avocado in your fridge will slow the ripening process so, instead, allow it to ripen at room temperature, using a paper bag to speed up the process.
5. Apples
If you're a fan of apples, then you'll like to know that apples can be stored at room temperature for a week. They'll be completely fine to eat and enjoy!
6. Potatoes
Place your spuds in a dark, dry and cool space. Remove them from plastic bags and try storing them in a cardboard box. Do not wash them before storage, because you may cause them to spoil early.
7. Bread
Don't put your bread in the fridge, it will only get tough, stale and lose its delicious taste.
Make sure you and your house dwellers remember to seal your loaf up to retain its moisture. To keep it even fresher, why not buy a bread bin?
8. Honey
Don't put honey in the fridge, it will crystallize and become incredibly tricky to spread! Store it in the cupboard and enjoy a smooth spreadable consistency.
9. Tomatoes
Allow tomatoes to ripen at room temperature and once ripe, use a cooler spot to keep them for longer.
That said, if you've used tomatoes to make a delicious salsa, this will need to be stored in the fridge - it's safer to store any cut tomatoes this way.
10. Green bananas
As with the avocado, the cold temperature of the fridge will slow down the ripening process. If you want a nice yellow banana, keep it out the fridge and if you want to speed up the process, put it in a paper bag.
11. Coffee
If you need your cup of coffee in the morning, you should know what it likes! Protect coffee from moisture, heat and light, placing it in an air-tight container in a dark, cool place.
12. Maple Syrup
Like honey, maple syrup does not like the fridge. Store it in a cupboard, away from direct sunlight. The pour lashings of it over waffles, pancakes, bacon or directly into your mouth.
13. Watermelon
Studies show that keeping a watermelon in the fridge will have an effect on its nutritional value.
Storing watermelon at room temperature means it will have significantly more nutrients and antioxidants than a watermelon that is fridge-bound. How interesting!
14. Pastries
Croissants, cinnamon whirls, pain au chocolat - there's no need to keep them in the fridge.
Cover them up with foil and keep them at room temperature for up to two days.
15. Aubergine
The best place to store aubergine (or eggplant) is at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
Do not seal it in a plastic bag, as this can speed-up decay.
16. Butternut Squash
Keep this beauty on a shelf in a dry, dark, cool place. If you stick it in the fridge it may change the flavour - we don't want that now.
17. Peanut Butter
Yum! There's no need to store your peanut butter in the fridge - it will keep well for around 3 months in a dark cupboard at room temperature. Now... where's that jam?
Hope you have enjoyed the list! Let me know if you have any more foods that you think should be kept out of the fridge below...
Cucumber ? It's mostly made up of water and putting it in fridge will make it turn into mush before you get to enjoy any in sandwiches or salad.
Hi Terri. I usually keep mine in the fridge, but will definitely give this a go. Thanks for sharing :)
Carnot I be sent a paper booklet instead of e-book ? Any chance?
Hi there! Unfortunately, we only have the option of an e-book, but you're welcome to print it at home so that you have a physical copy.
Buy a aerosal spray empty then fill with cooking oil saves you pounds
Thanks for sharing, Val!
Peaches, plums and lemons, limes. Stone fruits should not be refrigerated, because they wont ripen
Thanks for sharing, Amellia!
The great 'Egg' debate, i do not put eggs in the fridge, they are not sold in the chilled aisle with the veg and only viable answer i have had is outside in the cooler months fridge in the summer,
That does make sense!
Loved it. Shared it
Thank you!
Very good advice I never put perisherbles in the fridge has they go off, and taste srange, I have had them from a friends and noticed that she always put most of hers in the fridge,,,,I just keep my milk and cream and other soft foods like soft cheese, and cooked bacon, also I have on occasion put eggs in the fridge but only for short periods..
Thanks for the kind words, Carole!
I always keep jam (not honey , marmalade or peanut butter ) in the fridge and don't get mouldy jam if it hasn't been used up quickly.
Thanks for sharing! I'm sure many people keep it in their cupboards.
If you have a large glass jar standing there doing nothing , keep your summer fruits ie: strawberries etc in these will stay fresh for up to 3/4 weeks Lynda Norwich
Great idea!
When buying prepared mixed salad leaves,when opened place two sheets kitchen towel in bag on one side resealing with a food clip. This will help the leaves from spoiling so fast,and keep the nutrients in . It stops a lot of moisture building up. My other great tipI have is for cheese .I use a click box but always find it gets damp so if cheese is opened it starts to grow mould on, I know cheese can be ok like this for while, but I will freeze half for another time ,all it does is making it a bit crumblier (Great for cooking). And rest that's in the clean click box ,again good old kitchen towel to help keep moisture at bay
Great suggestions! Using kitchen towels to absorb excess moisture can keep salad leaves fresher for longer. Freezing half of an opened cheese and using kitchen towels to absorb moisture in the container can help preserve it and prevent it from becoming mouldy.
Hi, what about cut up Watermelon?
Store cut-up watermelon in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep it chilled to maintain freshness and avoid freezing to preserve its texture.