Today we take it for granted, however,
refrigerators are an ingenious product that changed everything when they
were invented. With these special electrical devices, people could
finally keep food for longer without worrying about spoiling, thus
saving money and enjoying fresh food at all times. Despite the necessity
of the refrigerator when it comes to keeping food fresh, you don’t
actually need to store every food item you bring home from the grocery
store in it. There are certain foods, both natural and processed, which
are altered both in taste, texture and even nutritional value when
refrigerated. The list of the following 20 foods, which are not
recommended to be kept in the refrigerator, will allow you to save space
and make the most of the taste and nutritional value of your favorite
foods.
1. Bananas
This favorite summer fruit ripens quickly when it’s outside, but that
doesn’t mean that it needs to be kept in the refrigerator to prolong its
life. This is because the nutrients, that is, the vitamins and minerals
in the bananas, are stored better outside of the refrigerator than
inside it.
2. Whole watermelon
Cold watermelon is a summer favorite, but it isn’t recommended to put
the whole fruit into the refrigerator if you want to store it at home.
Storage of a whole watermelon in the refrigerator damages the essential
antioxidant content of beta-carotene, which is found in the fruit.
Therefore, whole watermelons are best kept outside the refrigerator, and
if you want some chilled pieces, cut them beforehand, put them in a
sealed box and kept them in the refrigerator until you want a healthy
snack.
3. Coffee
Humidity conditions in the refrigerator are the enemies of coffee of all
kinds, therefore, it is recommended to avoid storing whole and ground
coffee beans of in the refrigerator. The moisture in the refrigerator
"sticks" to coffee, changes its flavor and destroys its wonderful aroma.
4. Peaches
When peaches are placed in the refrigerator, their ripening process
stops, and consequently, they don’t reach the stage where their taste
becomes as it should be. Moreover, cooling causes damage to the
nutritional components of these wonderful fruits, which is why it’s not
recommended to keep them in the refrigerator.
5. Mango
This exotic fruit is not used to cool temperatures, so it is not
advisable to put it in the refrigerator. The essential components of the
mango break down when they come into contact with cold, and so, they
may lose the nutritional values that make them so healthy for us.
6. Plums
Many times, cold causes plums to shrink and lose their form and beloved
juicy texture. The components in the purple fruit, like dietary fibers
that help regulate digestive activity, are damaged by the cold and
therefore should not be stored in the fruit drawer.
7. Oils
Storage of oil in a place exposed to sunlight causes it to oxidize which
is harmful to its composition, but on the other hand, storing it in the
refrigerator also harms it. When storing different oils in the
refrigerator - especially olive and avocado oil - they crystallize into a
buttery texture which damages their taste.
8. Pumpkin
When storing pumpkin in the refrigerator, moisture causes it to develop
mold, and even when that is not the case – its taste can still be
damaged. The wetness in the refrigerator may seep into the pumpkin and
change its taste, which is why it’s better to opt for cool and shaded
places, such as the pantry, over keeping pumpkin in the refrigerator.
9. Basil
Basil is a delicate herb that quickly wilts in the cold, and it also
absorbs odors that change its taste from the various items in the
refrigerator. Therefore, it is recommended to place basil stalks into a
vessel with water, cover its leaves with a bag and put it in a shaded
place, so that they hold longer and don’t become damaged.
10. Kiwi
Despite its rough appearance, kiwi is sensitive to external influences
such as cold. When this fuzzy, sour fruit is placed in the refrigerator,
its nutritional value is also impaired as well as its appearance,
taste, and texture, which is why the fridge is not the place for it.
11. Onions (especially cut)
Onions have a great amount of liquid, and when put into the refrigerator
they are fertile ground for the development of mold that requires
moisture to survive. Furthermore, chopped onion absorbs bacteria and
odors from the refrigerator, so it is recommended to use it all if cut,
or alternatively chop and freeze it.
12. Garlic
When garlic is placed in the refrigerator, the cold causes it to sprout,
and it also develops mold and has a texture reminiscent of rubber. To
prevent this, do not store it in the refrigerator, and choose a cool,
dry place where it can be kept naturally for a long time.
13. Eggplant / Brinjal
Eggplants are especially sensitive to cold, and when placed in the
fridge they quickly spoil and tend to shrink and develop a rubber-like
texture as well as mold in their stem. In addition, the natural ethylene
gas released from fruits and vegetables further damages the eggplant
and causes them to spoil and lose their flavor.
14. Sweet potatoes
When sweet potatoes are brought into the refrigerator, the structure of
their cell walls changes and becomes stiff and hard to cut. The cooling
also damages their texture, so it takes longer to prepare them, unlike
sweet potatoes kept outside the refrigerator. Refrigerator moisture also
causes the development of mold and a stale taste, so this is definitely
not the place for them.
15. Hot and sweet peppers
When sweet peppers are put into the refrigerator, their natural color
fades with time and humidity causes them to develop mold that harms
their taste and also makes them inedible. They also tend to shrink when
refrigerated, just like their little brothers - hot peppers, therefore,
it is not recommended to put both types of peppers in there.
16. Peanut butter
Fine peanut butter spreads wonderfully on bread and can be used as a
snack in itself or even as an ingredient in cookies. When you put the
salty-sweet spread to cool in the fridge, its texture becomes damaged
and it becomes difficult and almost impossible to spread, so the
refrigerator is definitely not the place for it.
17. Nectarines
This wonderful fruit is eaten in its fresh form and also used to make a
variety of pastries, but refrigeration can damage its unique taste. The
moisture created in the refrigerator causes the nectarines to soften,
even if they are not yet ripe so that their delicate skins absorb
unpleasant flavors. When nectarines are refrigerated, they tend to spoil
quickly, so it is recommended to take them out of the fridge and store
them on the counter.
18. Cereal
Sometimes cereal is kept in the refrigerator to prevent ant
infestations, but instead, it is recommended to place them in a
well-sealed container. When you put cereal in the refrigerator, it can
become sponge-like and absorb the smells and flavors around it, as well
as soften and lose its flavor and texture. If there is extra sugar in
the grains, they crystallize into soft, inedible lumps that stick
together and lose their well-known crispness and flavor.
19. Salad dressings
Salad dressing based on vinegar and oil - like vinaigrettes - are found
in almost every refrigerator, but it is certainly not their place. The
vinegar and the oil preserve the wonderful taste of the sauces, and when
stored in the refrigerator, this taste becomes damaged because they
absorb odors around them, even when their container is closed.
20. Chocolate
Some chocolates soften at room temperature and can be refrigerated, but
most of these sweet treats remain solid even when they are outside the
refrigerator. If you put chocolate in the fridge, its crystalline
structure changes, it develops white spots and its flavor changes
dramatically.
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