7 Foods You Should Not Keep in The Fridge

The fridge is a marvelous appliance that keeps our food fresh and prolongs its life, but there are some foods you should not keep in the fridge. It’s so easy to think it is good food storage practice to use the fridge for keeping any fresh foods or opened jars and bottles in, but not all foodstuffs benefit from cold temperatures. In some cases, the cold environment is actually detrimental to the health of the food item. Here are some foods you should not keep in the fridge:-

1. Bread

Bread is one of the main foods you should not keep in the fridge. Storing bread in the fridge does not prolong its life nor keep it fresh for longer. Keeping it in the fridge will make the bread dry out fast. The best thing is to store it at room temperature and you should not keep it for more than four days. If loaves are too big, take out what you need for a couple of days and store the rest in the freezer.

2. Garlic

 Garlic doesn’t like the cold. There is no need to refrigerate garlic because it is quite happy in dry good storage or on a pantry shelf for at least 2 months. The only consideration is to store bulbs loosely, as this allows enough air to move around, keeping them fresher for longer.

3. Hot Sauce

There is a tendency to think that most condiments and table sauces should be kept in the fridge once opened, when in fact many of them contain vinegar, salt and sugar – all of which are excellent preservatives. Hot sauce is one of those things you should not keep in the fridge. Actually, there is no need to do it, especially when it can easily stay in the pantry for about three years. There is no enhancement to the flavor by eating it fridge-cold either.

4. Potatoes

I never have enough room in my fridge to even consider storing potatoes, but the fridge is not the best place them anyway. The biggest reason is that refrigeration will change the flavor of potatoes quickly - this happens because cold temperatures can change starch into sugar. You will be better off leaving them in the pantry, packed in a paper bag. Avoid plastic bags for storage because you cannot keep moisture out and this will speed decay. It is worth mentioning that potatoes don't like cold temperatures and something above 45 degree F will have damaging effects. So, remember, potatoes are one of those foods you should not keep in the fridge, or be ready to witness change in taste, texture, and cooking quality.

5. Tomatoes

Avoid keeping tomatoes in your refrigerator because this will turn them into a mealy disappointment. The thing is that tomatoes like heat right from the time they are on the vine. That's the reason why you will be damaging them by keeping them in your fridge for long. While it is true that you can use refrigerated tomatoes for cooking, they won't be as good as they are when fresh. The best place to store all your tomatoes is your counter. Keep them at room temperature while making sure they are not in direct sunlight.

6. Onions

Onions are another of our staple foods that don’t need to be kept in the fridge. It is better to keep them in a bag that allows for air circulation – you can always opt for a mesh bag and keep all your onions in the pantry. It is worth mentioning that onions don't have the protective papery layer when they come out of the ground. That dry outer layer is the result of keeping onions stored in a dry environment. It means that if you keep onions in the refrigerator, the combination of insufficient air circulation and dampness will cause them to rot and spoil. Also, remember that you should be placing onions in a dark place because light can change their taste. It is also advisable to keep potatoes away from onions because potatoes will emit gasses and moisture that may cause onions to rot quickly.

7. Coffee

Some people swear by keeping their ground and fresh coffee beans in the fridge. Others believe coffee is definitely one of those foods that you should not keep in the fridge. The condensation in the fridge can definitely affect the flavor and quality of coffee. There is also the risk of cross contamination of smell and flavor. Knowing that they pack cocaine in coffee grounds to fool drug sniffer drugs says something about the powerful smell of coffee. Do you want all your food to taste like fine Arabica? Or conversely, your expensive blue mountain java to take on the tinge of gorgonzola? Coffee is best stored in an airtight container in the pantry.

Some items we regularly buy are simply best stored at room temperature and are better in our pantry and vegetable racks than in the fridge. Or you keep any of these listed items in your fridge? Will you change that now?