In addition to saving time and reducing the chance of spoiled food, refrigerators are indispensable kitchen heroes. Even though your milk may enjoy the cool temperatures there are some unexpected foods that shouldn’t be kept in the refrigerator. When improperly stored some of these products may even be harmful to your health. The list of foods we’ve compiled that you shouldn’t keep in the refrigerator could save your life.

Potatoes

For those who enjoy potatoes this is bad news: cold temperatures convert starch to sugar far more quickly than warmer ones. Store your potatoes in a cool dry location in your kitchen but not too cold!

Don’t put potatoes in the refrigerator. They are best eaten at room temperature regardless of whether you like them boiled, mashed or roasted to extend their shelf life and keep them from solidifying before you’re ready to cook.

Bananas

The cold of a refrigerator is definitely not conducive to banana growth. They can actually turn black more quickly in the cold!

The best bananas are those that are purchased before they are completely ripe and allowed to ripen in your kitchen at room temperature. Enjoy bananas because they are great for your blood pressure which is an added bonus!

Melon

Melons don’t do well in the cold just like bananas because refrigeration can hasten their rotting. The ideal cool treat to enjoy in the garden melon should be kept in a cool dry location that isnt too cold.

It’s tempting to keep melons cold because they are frequently served at summer parties but they keep better at room temperature. Cut the melon up and eat it right away before it dries out because if you are purchasing a whole one you’re probably getting ready for a good time with friends.

Basil

Basil is an essential herb for any kitchen because it gives your food a distinctive flavor. Avoid putting your basil in the refrigerator and instead keep it in the shade with a little water to keep it fresh.

But it must be kept at a minimum of 40°F (4°C) to prevent black spots and to preserve its flavor. It will continue to add new flavor to your meals and last a lot longer this way.

Onions

In addition to growing well in warmer climates onions require adequate air circulation to remain fresh. Care must be taken when handling them whether they are chopped, fried or whole.

It’s interesting to note that potatoes and onions don’t get along well. In fact, keeping them near each other can hasten the aging process of the onions. Store both in different parts of your kitchen to keep them fresh and above all don’t put them in the refrigerator!

Coffee

Keep your coffee in an airtight container out of direct sunlight. Some people may keep their coffee in the refrigerator but let’s face it that’s just not the best option.

A refrigerator only exposes coffee to cold humid air and the odors of your other food. Coffee requires adequate air circulation and dry conditions to stay fresh. This will maintain its flavor and guarantee that your morning brew is as excellent as it has always been. When you get it right your hot cup of espresso will taste even better.

Garlic

The fridge is your best bet if you want your garlic to sprout early but not for the right reasons as the cold can cause mold to grow on the bulb’s skin and inside which is not ideal.

Store your garlic in a warm dry place to keep it fresh. Since the rotting process occurs inside the cloves the refrigerator may conceal it but it’s not the best option for long-term storage. Don’t use the refrigerator for garlic unless you’re trying to keep a vampire friend safe!

Hot Sauces

Refrigerating most hot sauces wont hasten their spoiling but it may weaken their potency because they contain vinegar and preservatives that help stop the growth of bacteria and mold.

You may believe that your taste buds are unbeatable but the refrigerator is actually doing the work. The flavor will be much bolder the next time so try keeping your bottle of Tabasco on the kitchen counter instead. You’ll notice a difference!

Bread

It is a big no-no to keep bread in the refrigerator because it stales more quickly and appears and feels older than it actually is. Who knows, maybe this author has been living in a refrigerator for all these years!

However the staling process is accelerated by the cold air reducing its freshness. Unless it’s already assembled into a sandwich, keep your bread out of the refrigerator for optimal results. Once the bread is cut and stuffed with your preferred ingredients it changes its behavior and becomes more resilient to cold temperatures.

Oil

Cold temperatures cause fats to solidify which is the last thing you want for your cherished olive oil. Although including healthy fats in your diet is a great idea, keeping oil in the refrigerator can actually degrade its texture and quality.

It’s okay if you unintentionally chilled your olive oil. You can reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds to bring back some of its original consistency. To preserve its maximum potency nothing compares to just keeping it out of the refrigerator!

Peanut Butter

Regardless of your preference for smooth or crunchy, we can all agree that peanut butter tastes best when it’s spreadable. Peanut butter becomes difficult to spread after being refrigerated.

Nothing is more annoying than reaching for your jar to make PB&J and then having to wait for it to warm up before you can actually insert the knife. To completely avoid this issue keep your jar in the cupboard. Your bread won’t have to contend with the conflict between soft jelly and hard peanut butter in this way.

To sum up, even though the refrigerator is necessary for food preservation, not everything should be kept there. Many commonplace foods such as bread melons, bananas and potatoes can deteriorate in texture or even spoil more quickly in cold storage. Onions garlic and basil thrive in dry well-ventilated environments but peanut butter and hot sauces are best enjoyed at room temperature. Cold humid air can affect even your morning necessities such as coffee and oils changing their consistency and dulling their flavor. Not only does careful storage prolong shelf life but it also helps maintain nutritional value, flavor and texture. Your meals (and your health) will appreciate it if you rethink what you put in your refrigerator.

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join.

Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.