We all grow up in households which do things differently and when it comes to storing food, this is no different. There are old wives’ tales galore when it comes to this topic! People have opinions, VERY strong opinions, on what you should and shouldn’t keep in the fridge. While there is no ultimate answer to what’s right and wrong, you should know how you might be hindering these foods and not necessarily extending their shelf life by keeping them refrigerated. Read on for 7 Foods You Shouldn’t Store in the Fridge!
1. Bread
Ahh yes, our favourite carbohydrate. Its perfect fluffiness is the key to any successful lunch. You might think that you’re keeping it fresh by putting it in the fridge, but what you’re really doing is drying it out. So, when you grab a slice and realise that your brand-new bread is stale, that’s why! Keep it in a cool, dark place to preserve for longer or invest in a bread bag for ultimate freshness.
2. Coffee
The myth of having to keep your coffee beans in the fridge came from somewhere, but we really don’t know where. Coffee takes on the taste of its surroundings. Smells can penetrate most containers so it’s better you keep your coffee in an airtight dish in the cupboard unless you want it to taste like that piece of fresh garlic in the fridge.
3. Onion & Garlic
Pungent and delicious, we love these aromatics. Yet they don’t fare well in places of high moisture. Storing them in a dry, dark container where they have access to air is the best way to keep these from rotting.
4. Avocado
The millennials best friend, who doesn’t love a cheeky piece of avocado toast these days? We all know that these creamy ovals take ages to ripen, and if you stick then in the fridge you’re just prolonging the process. Stick them next to your bananas in an open brown bag and they’ll ripen faster!
5. Bananas (+ tropical fruits)
Speaking of bananas, the fridge is a big no-no for them too! Think about it, they’re a tropical fruit and as they’re mostly picked green, how can they ripen in a cool climate? This goes for any tropical fruit too (before you cut it, after transfer to the fridge to prolong its life and stop it from drying out). They will taste the best if you hang them in your kitchen until they turn yellow, after that you can transfer them to the fridge if you prefer them cold.
6. Eggs
Last but not least, eggs. You buy them from the room-temperature section of the store, so why the rush to throw them in your fridge? Check the ‘best by’ date on your eggs and you can safely keep them in the cupboard, away from direct sunlight until you make space in the fridge.
