20 Foods That Need Not Be Refrigerated

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There are some foods that need not be refrigerated. Some foods when stored in the fridge lose its flavour or texture. Refrigerating it makes them mouldy.

Many of you actually store foods that do not need to be refrigerated in a fridge. They can be best kept in the kitchen counter or in the pantry. Don't do this mistake again as it can spoil your food rather than keeping them fresh.

Boldsky helps you today in clearing this confusion. Have a look at a list of foods that do not need to be refrigerated.

Tomatoes

This is one of the foods that do not need to be refrigerated. If tomatoes are stored in the fridge, they start to lose their flavour and texture. Keep them on the kitchen counter in a bowl or a basket. If you want them to ripen faster, keep them on the counter in a paper bag. If they become over-ripe, it's time to cook them to make a tomato sauce.

Potatoes

What foods to refrigerate? You should not do that for potatoes. When you refrigerate potatoes, its flavour changes as the starch breaks down, and you will get sweet and gritty potatoes. Store them in a paper bag in a cool dark place such as your pantry or a cupboard. You should avoid plastic bags as it traps moisture and promotes mould).

Onions

Storing onions in the fridge can make them mouldy and soft because of the humidity in the fridge. It is best to store onions in a paper bag or in a mesh bag in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place.Don't keep the onions near the potatoes, because if stored together, the onions will rot faster. Once you cut the onions or slice them, they can be stored in a sealed container in the vegetable drawer in your fridge.

Garlic

What foods to refrigerate? Garlic needs not be refrigerated. Storing garlic in the fridge can make it mouldy so it deteriorates faster. It can also make it sprout, so it is best to store garlic in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place. Garlic is not among the foods to be refrigerated.

Winter squashes

These fruits are also not among the foods to be refrigerated. Winter squashes such as butternut, spaghetti and acorn are best to be kept at room temperature in the pantry.

Bananas

Green bananas are not among the foods to be refrigerated. They should be kept at room temperature, as refrigerating them prevents proper ripening. If spots start to develop on the skin and you don't want the bananas to over-ripe, store them in the produce drawer of your refrigerator after they are fully ripe. The banana skin will continue to turn brown, but the fruit inside will remain firm and perfect to eat.

Melon and watermelon

Whole melons and watermelons have the best flavour when kept at room temperature. Once they are cut, store in the fridge.

Apples

What to refrigerate? Refrigerating fresh whole apples will affect their taste and texture over time, so they can be stored on the counter if you intend to eat them within a week or two. To keep them longer than that, you will have to refrigerate them.

Citrus fruits

Most citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons can be kept at room temperature in a cool, dark place for several days or about a week. After one week, store them in the produce drawer in your fridge.

Stone fruits

What foods to refrigerate? Stone fruits such as peaches, apricots and plums can be best ripened at room temperature. Once they ripe, eat them or store in the fruit drawer of your fridge to increase their longevity.

Avocado

Unripe avocados should be left at room temperature. Once they are ripe and you don't want to eat them right away, keep them in the fridge.

Dried fruits

What to refrigerate? No need to refrigerate dry fruits. As they are already dried, they can be stored for a long time without refrigeration.

Oils

Oils don't need to be refrigerated as it will make them thick, harder and cloudy. It should be kept in a cool, dark place.

Bread

Refrigerating bread will make it dry. If you intend to eat the bread within a few days, store it on the counter and freeze the rest.

Nuts

Nuts can be stored in a cool, dark place, or if you buy bulk nuts, refrigerate them to increase their shelf life.

Fresh herbs

You don't need to refrigerate fresh herbs as they lose flavour, get dry and absorb smells of the food around them. It's better to keep them on the counter in a cup of fresh water. If you want to store them in a fridge, keep them in an airtight container.

Spices

Ground spices don't need to be refrigerated. Store them in airtight containers in cool dry places. The airtight containers will protect them from moisture and oxidation.

Coffee

Coffee will lose its flavor and absorb odors if kept in the fridge. Store coffee in an air tight container in a cool dark place.

Honey

You should not store honey in the fridge as it gets harden and crystallise. Store in a cool area, away from direct sunlight. Keep them tightly covered.

Peanut butter

You don't need to refrigerate an opened jar of commercially manufactured peanut butter. Just store it in a dark place at room temperature and it will last for about three months. Refrigerating it will extend shelf life to additional 3-4 months. As for natural homemade peanut butter, if you plan to consume it within a month or so, you don't need to refrigerate it, but keep it in cool place.