10 foods that you should stop storing in the refrigerator | The State
The refrigerator helps preserve and keep food fresh for longer. For some foods, it might be the best place to store them, but for others, it might be the worst. You probably don’t know it and you have some of those foods in this cold appliance that can even spoil them. We tell you how to keep them fresh for longer.
1. Onions
Don’t refrigerate your onions unless they are cut; its texture will become softer or pasty. You can keep your onions whole for several months without refrigerating. Its optimal storage is in a cool, dark, dry and ventilated place.
Remove moldy peels or other signs of moisture to prevent it from spreading. Do not keep them in a plastic bag, a net, a shelf or pendant is preferred, try to keep them away from the potatoes, since they will make them sprout.
2. Garlic
The refrigerator is the enemy of your garlic, it alters its texture and flavor. Also, moisture can cause teeth to develop mold. Refrigerate your garlic in an airtight container in the refrigerator only if they are already peeled and you will use in a few days.
Save the food recommends storing unpeeled garlic in a cool, dark, dry place in a well-ventilated container, such as a basket or mesh bag. Do not store in plastic.
3. Avocados
The best way to store your green, ripe avocados that you plan to use soon is at room temperature. Your avocados will hardly ripen if you refrigerate them.
If it is ripe and you will not use it right away, refrigerate it so that you will keep it in optimal conditions for 2 to 5 days.
4. Cucumbers
Cold air spoils your cucumbers, they can get watery and choppy. These are best stored at room temperature in a well-ventilated area.
5. Potatoes
The ideal storage for potatoes is not in the refrigerator. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against storing potatoes in the refrigerator, as they can increase acrylamide during cooking.
Save the Food recommends storing potatoes away from sunlight in a cool, dark, dry and well-ventilated place, in a ventilated bag: mesh, paper, burlap, or perforated plastic.
6. Olive oil
The North American Olive Oil Association notes that you don’t need to refrigerate your oil. To enjoy its quality and benefits, once the bottle is opened it is convenient to use it in one or a maximum of three months. You must take care of it from light, heat and air.
Store in dark glass bottles or opaque material containers to protect from light. Store at room temperature, away from heat. The container must be properly closed to prevent contact with air from accelerating its decomposition.
7. Bread
The refrigerator is a wonderful preserver of your vegetables, meats and drinks, but not your bread. Epicurious notes that refrigerated bread can age up to six times faster than bread on the counter. If it is an option to store the bread of brands that have preservatives, it is not for your fresh, artisan and homemade bread.
If you will eat it in the first two days you can store it at room temperature in a bread box or paper bag to reduce moisture loss and keep the crust crispy. Avoid filling the bread box because there will be a higher level of humidity. If you will not eat it in the first days, freezing bread is the best way to preserve it with its crispy crust and soft interior.
8. Coffee
To keep your coffee fresh, place the beans or ground coffee in an airtight opaque container at room temperature, away from sunlight. Exposure to moisture, air, heat, and light can strip coffee of its flavor. Buy the amount of coffee that you will use in two or three weeks to enjoy it at its highest quality.
9. Tomatoes
Store fresh tomatoes on the counter at room temperature in a single layer in an uncovered container. Avoid direct sunlight and place them stem up; storing them on their side will cause bruising. Ripe tomatoes will keep in good condition for 5 days.
Refrigerating your tomatoes will add more days of life (at least 3) to your tomatoes if they are already very ripe. However, it can decrease its flavor, cause a loss of sweetness and texture.
10. Basil
Basil keeps best at room temperature. Refrigerating will cause brittle leaves to darken and discolor. Place the basil stalks in a tall glass of water in a shady spot.
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