11 Foods You Should Never Refrigerate

Despite what many people think, if you store bread in the fridge, all you’re doing is accelerating decomposition and promoting the growth of mold.

It’s true that the refrigerator is the best place to store many of the foods we buy at stores and markets, especially for foods that we know we won’t consume immediately. But there are certain foods that we should never refrigerate, because when chilled, they can lose some of their properties like texture and may even spoil faster.

You might be storing as much food as possible in the fridge without realizing that it could change their taste and texture. If you’re still not sure which foods should or shouldn’t be refrigerated, in this article we’ll mention some of them for you to keep in mind.

Onions

The best way to preserve onions is to store them in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Onions can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria if not stored properly, and in the fridge those bacteria can proliferate more easily. According to the National Onion Association (NOA) in the United States, onions should be kept in their peels and they require exposure to air in order to breathe. The only time they should ever be stored in the fridge is when they are already peeled and sliced, in which case they should be kept in an airtight container.

Tomatoes

If we store tomatoes in the fridge, they gradually lose their texture and eventually we’ll notice that they have less flavor than when they were freshly bought. According to the National Institute of Agricultural Research, when tomatoes are exposed to colder temperatures like those in the refrigerator, they have reduced levels of sugars, acids, and other beneficial compounds. It’s best to store them in a dry place at room temperature.

Potatoes

When you store potatoes in the fridge, they lose their original flavor and become soft. Potatoes should be stored unwashed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, because exposure to moisture can cause fungus to grow.

Coffee

As with so many other foods, coffee should be stored in a cool, dry place. If you keep it in your refrigerator it loses both its taste and smell. In addition, coffee easily absorbs odors from other food items. It’s recommended to store coffee in an airtight container, and in a dark place if possible.

Garlic

Garlic heads and cloves are best kept at room temperature, and in a cool, dry place. When stored in the refrigerator, garlic loses its beneficial properties and spoils more quickly, while out of the fridge it can last for months.

Honey

The Beekeepers Association of Ontario (Canada) states that honey should be stored at room temperature in a tightly covered container.When it’s kept in the fridge, honey thickens and crystallizes more quickly.

Avocados

Storing avocados in the fridge only delays the fruit from ripening. Most of us prefer eating ripe avocados, so be sure to keep them at room temperature.

Bread

One of the most common mistakes consumers make in an effort to preserve their foods is storing bread in the refrigerator. In fact, keeping bread in the fridge can actually accelerate spoilage, it ages bread more quickly, and can even cause the development of mold. To make your bread last longer, store it at room temperature and in a cool, dry place.

Chocolate

You should never refrigerate chocolate either. This is only needed if it’s very hot – the best way to help your chocolate maintain its aroma and taste is to keep it in an environment that’s free of moisture and extreme heat.

Pineapples

Refrigerating a pineapple only prevents it from ripening and causes it to lose its flavor. When this fruit is exposed to low temperatures, the enzymes that allow it to ripen are destroyed and the sweet taste is lost.

Cereal and pasta

Cereals and pasta are best stored in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Low temperatures, like those in the fridge, can cause them to lose flavor and end up with an unpleasant taste or texture.