You know that food spoilage is a naturally occurring process, but did you know that one-third of the food produced in the world every year get lost, spoiled or wasted? That is approximately 1.3 billion tons of food. And this is where refrigerators help us save our food. Regardless of how important refrigerators are in preserving foods for a longer period of time, there are still some foods that should never be placed in the refrigerator.
So, here are 35 foods that you should never place in the refrigerator (we’ll also explain why leaving them in the room temperature is the best thing to do).
So, here are 35 foods that you should never place in the refrigerator (we’ll also explain why leaving them in the room temperature is the best thing to do).
1. Coffee
It is highly recommended to put coffee in an airtight container to ensure that it retains its freshness and quality. Coffee remains fresh in a dry, cool area. Putting coffee in the refrigerator can only make it taste bad. Even coffee experts highly recommend users to store their coffee in room temperature while keeping it away from heat, moisture, and light. If you have coffee beans, don’t make the mistake of storing them in the fridge.
2. Peanut Butter
Most people make the mistake of putting peanut butter inside the fridge. Unlike jam or jelly, peanut butter tends to dry when it is stored in the fridge for longer periods of time. If you have creamy, spreadable peanut butter, then it is best to keep it in a dark, dry place.
3. Honey
Honey doesn’t go bad (in fact it is recognized as the only food that doesn’t spoil), but it can crystallize if you store it in the fridge. It is best to store it in a cool, dry place because it won’t crystallize. It can easily stay in good condition at room temperature for an indefinite period of time.
4. Olive Oil
When it comes to highly beneficial olive oil, you have to make sure that it is stored in a dark, cool area in a container that is tightly sealed. As you should not store it in the fridge, make sure that you use it within 5-6 months because research showed that olive oil starts to lose its antioxidant benefits after sitting on the shelf for a few months.
5. Vinegar
Many people do not know that vinegar has the quality of self-preservation. It means that its shelf life is virtually indefinite. Vinaigrettes that contain onion, garlic, herbs or shallots do need refrigeration.
6. Mustard
Mustard also has preservatives in it just like ketchup that prevent it from spoiling for some time. If placed in a cupboard, it can stay good for up to a month. You can refrigerate mustard if you like cold temperature mustard on your sandwich.
7. Donuts
If you keep donuts in the fridge, they can easily become stale or soggy. It is best to keep them covered at room temperature. So, we urge you to never store this amazing food in the fridge.
8. Chocolate
Most of us like to store our favorite chocolate in the fridge to prevent it from getting soft. However, excessive exposure to too much cold can alter the taste of chocolate. A process called “sugar bloom” happens when chocolate gets exposed to warmer air once it is taken out of the fridge. It causes a grainy coating to form which changes the taste of the chocolate.
9. Pumpkins
Most people try to preserve their small and medium-sized pumpkins by storing them in the fridge. However, the colder temperature in the fridge can easily damage the pumpkin. If you want to enjoy a pumpkin that has a consistent taste, then the best option for you would be to store it in a cold, dry place.
10. Watermelon
Watermelon tastes good only when it is a bit cold. That’s why it is best to place it in the fridge hour before eating it. However, it is not recommended to store it in the fridge when it is not cut. Studies have suggested that watermelon tends to lose its nutritional value when it is exposed to colder temperatures. If you wish to store it in the fridge after cutting it, make sure it is securely covered.
11. Spices
You can easily store ground spices at room temperature for years. Storing spices in the fridge not only affects their nutritional value but also affect their taste as well. If you have stored some spices at room temperature for over a year, smell them to determine whether they have lost their aroma or not. If they have a minimal aroma, it is probably best to not use them as they have lost their effectiveness. Nevertheless, it is recommended to never store spices in the fridge.
12. Beef Jerky
As beef jerky is made of beef, the manufacturers ensure that most of the moisture in it is removed. That’s why the commercially packaged beef jerky can easily stay in good condition for up to one year. When the package of beef jerky is opened, it can stay in good condition at room temperature for about a week.
13. Flour
Although flour doesn’t get damaged when it is stored in the fridge, it isn’t necessary to keep it refrigerated. Simply store it in a tight container and it will last a good long time. Moreover, storing it in the refrigerator can take up a lot of space. So, store it at room temperature and save up some space in your refrigerator.