Home cooks can keep many everyday foods fresher by leaving them out of the fridge.
After grocery shopping, most people put their food straight into the fridge. However, cold and damp conditions can affect the taste and texture of some foods. A pantry, kitchen counter or cupboard may be a better place for them.
Here are eight common items that stay fresh or taste better when stored at room temperature.
1. Tomatoes
Keep whole tomatoes on the counter. Keeping tomatoes in the refrigerator can decrease their taste and juiciness. This would take away the qualities that make tomatoes taste delicious.
Once you’ve sliced them, the rule is different. Put the slices in a container in the fridge. The whole tomatoes are quite happy in a simple fruit bowl.
2. Potatoes
Potatoes will not survive in the refrigerator due to its humid environment. The humidity can make them grainy and oddly sweet. It is better to store them in a paper bag on the countertop. All you need is a shelf in the pantry or cupboard.
3. Onions
Onions can go soft and moldy in the damp fridge. Best to store them in a cool, dry place. Keep them separate from the potatoes, as storing them together will cause the potatoes to sprout prematurely. People tend to buy them both at the same time, so it’s easy to forget to store them separately.
4. Garlic
Garlic bulbs can become rubbery in the fridge. A cupboard or cellar is better for storage as long as it’s cool and dry. Additionally, keep them away from heat sources, which is why the shelf above the cooktop is a poor choice, even if it’s convenient when you’re cooking.
5. Bananas
Bananas should be left on the counter, in the pantry or on a banana hook. Room temperature is ideal for ripening them and it slows browning of the peel. A hook is by no means essential, but it’s a nice way to free up counter space.
6. Bread
Bread goes stale in the fridge. The better plan is to leave a loaf on the counter for the first 24 hours. After that, you can freeze it and use a toaster to defrost the slices. It’s a sensible option if you’re the type of person who can’t finish a loaf in a day or two.
7. Honey
Honey can go hard and crystallize if you store it in the cold. At room temperature, it remains smooth and pourable. A cabinet or pantry shelf is quite sufficient. Anyone who’s ever scraped crystallized honey out of a jar knows why this matters.
8. Coffee
Coffee beans and grounds should also be kept out of the fridge. A sealed container in the pantry is the best way to preserve the flavor. There’s a widespread misconception that storing coffee in the fridge keeps it fresh; that’s not the case.
Sliced tomatoes should always be refrigerated and some products, such as pickles sold in the refrigerated section, must be stored according to their label instructions.
Always check the label for storage guidelines for different food items.
