You Should Not Store These 12 Foods In The Refrigerator, Cold Can Harm Them. Would We Find Cucumbers Or Bananas In Your Fridge?

We put some food in the fridge automatically, but that often does them more harm than good. Cold is not always a guarantee that food will last longer. On the contrary, the combination of low temperatures and humidity can turn even the tastiest fruit into an inedible mass. We bring you a list of foods that you should pay special attention to.

Bananas

Bananas need room temperature (15 to 20 °C) for two reasons: the heat helps them ripen if you buy them while they are still green, and the light and air will help slow down their decomposition. Their skin can turn black in the refrigerator. If you need them to ripen quickly, place them in an airtight bag.

Tomatoes

According to a study by scientists from the University of Florida, cold can drastically change the structure and taste of tomatoes by shocking them and literally changing their genetics. The best place for storing tomatoes is, for example, a kitchen counter or a table. They should be at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.

Chocolate

The refrigerator can cause a thermal shock to the chocolate, causing the cocoa butter to destabilize and a layer of tiny white crystals to form on the chocolate. Professional chocolatier Karol Stýblo recently told Refresher that chocolate should be served at room temperature and tastes best when it is in its semi-liquid form.

Bread

Baked goods tend to dry out quickly in the cold. If you like a crispy crust and a soft crust, store the bread in a bread box or isolate it well from the air. If you don't have time to eat it, cut it into slices and put it in the freezer.

Onion

If the onion is not cut, it should go to the pantry. In the refrigerator, these vegetables are exposed to a cold and damp environment, which, according to the Tasting Table portal, can cause premature moldiness, softness and odor. In a dry cabinet, onions can last for two to three months. 

Salad cucumber

Although most people store cucumbers in the refrigerator, this vegetable does not really need a cool, moist environment. Improperly stored cucumbers can quickly become a soggy mess. Always dry the cucumber properly first and then put it in an airtight bag or container - it will stay fresh for about a week. Sliced cucumbers are best stored in water. However, if you want to store the cucumber in the refrigerator, keep it either in a drawer or in the door, not too deep, so that it does not freeze.

Coffee

Coffee beans definitely do not last longer when you store them in the refrigerator or freezer. On the contrary. Coffee does not tolerate moisture, light and temperature fluctuations. In the refrigerator, it can "absorb" odors from other foods, opening the freezer will bring dramatic changes in temperature, which can cause unwanted condensation of grains. It is ideal to store it in a closed container in the pantry, away from sunlight.

Garlic

Several studies have shown that garlic sprouts twice as fast in the refrigerator than at room temperature. Although sprouted garlic is safe to eat, it has a very bitter taste. A whole head of garlic will last a long time in the store, but the individual cloves will oxidize quickly and will not taste good after just a few days. Garlic likes a "draught" - to reduce the risk of mould, store it in a mesh bag.

Peaches, cherries and nectarines

You shouldn't refrigerate these stone fruits for the same reason as tomatoes - the cold can change their taste and texture. These summer delicacies ripen best when you leave them on the kitchen counter. Some stone fruits, such as cherries, do not do well with moisture - so always wash them just before consumption.

Butter

Storing butter in the fridge is a completely automatic thing for most people. But what you probably don't know is that you can actually store butter at room temperature, even for days at a time. Thanks to this, you don't have to wait for it to soften before consumption.

The reason is that the butter you buy in the store has usually already been pasteurized. Moreover, due to its high fat content (80%) and low water content, it is unlikely to be attacked by pathogens in the heat. However, be careful with yellowed butter and do not expose it to direct sunlight and air.

Nuts

According to the Delish portal, almonds, cashews and pistachios can lose their delicious taste when exposed to cold. Store them in a sealable container in a place that is neither too hot nor too cold. If you need them to last longer than a month, you can put them in the freezer.

Canned vegetables

If you do not contaminate the pickled cucumbers with a dirty spoon, the preservatives in the container should keep the product in good condition even outside the refrigerator. You will save a lot of space. However, be sure to check the expiration date.

Soy sauce

Since soy sauce is protected by fermentation and high salt content, it does not spoil, so it does not need to be stored in the cold. After opening, it stays in good condition for two or three years.