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Most people tend to hide food in the refrigerator automatically – as a guarantee of longer freshness. But not everything we buy for the home actually belongs there. Some foods actually worsen in taste and texture in the cold and often even spoil faster. In this article we bring you a list of the most common mistakes people make when storing food – and we’ll advise how to do it better.
1. Potatoes and carrots – watch out for sweetening
If you store them in the fridge, the low temperature will cause starches to start converting into sugars. The result will be unpleasantly sweet and mealy potatoes and carrots without flavor. Proper storage? In a dry, cool, dark place – ideally in the pantry or cellar.
2. Tomatoes – lose flavor in the fridge
Tomatoes lose texture and flavor in the cold. If you’re afraid they’ll spoil, it’s better to process them into sauce or roast them. Avoid the refrigerator.
3. Onions and garlic
Both of these aromatic vegetables prefer dryness and darkness. In the fridge they quickly become damp and can start to mold. Store them in the pantry instead.
4. Honey
In the fridge it will start to crystallize and lose its smoothness. Store it at room temperature in a dark cupboard.
5. Bananas
Green bananas never ripen properly in the fridge. Store ripening bananas at room temperature, and only put them briefly in the fridge if they become overripe.
6. Cucumbers
Cucumbers lose flavor and juiciness in the cold. A better choice is storage in a cool, dry place.
7. Coffee
Coffee in the fridge loses aroma and absorbs surrounding odors. The ideal is a metal tin in a dry, dark place.
8. Fresh herbs
Herbs wilt quickly in the fridge and lose their aroma. Place them in a jar with water and cover with a bag.
9. Olive oil
In the fridge it solidifies and becomes cloudy. It fares best in a dark cupboard at room temperature.
Conclusion: The refrigerator is not a universal solution
Not all foods benefit from cold. On the contrary, proper food storage outside the refrigerator can extend their freshness, improve flavor, and preserve important nutrients. If you want your household to function smartly and efficiently, start with the refrigerator – and reassess what truly belongs in it.
