Health & Life

10 Foods to Avoid Refrigerating to Prevent Toxicity

The following types of food should not be kept in the refrigerator.

29 February, 2024

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Potatoes are best stored at room temperature, not too cold or too hot. Cold air in the refrigerator will break down the starch in potatoes, affecting their nutrition and taste.

Avocados are best when ripe. Storing avocados in the refrigerator will slow down the natural ripening process. This fruit is most flavorful when naturally ripe and only needs to be stored in a dry place.

Garlic will lose some of its pungency and spiciness when stored in the refrigerator. It is best to sun-dry garlic to prevent it from becoming damp and moldy. Then, put it in small bags and store at room temperature.

Types of melons such as watermelon, cantaloupe… will have a reduced level of antioxidants when placed in the refrigerator. Therefore, you should store whole melons at room temperature. For cut melons, you can store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Honey will crystallize when kept in the refrigerator. Honey can be stored for a long time when kept at room temperature. If the honey has solidified, you can place the honey jar in warm water to return it to its normal liquid state.

Bread is a perishable food. Storing bread in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of mold is a mistake. Bread is best stored in dry food containers, vacuum-sealed.

Onions will spoil quickly and become moldy when stored in the refrigerator. It is best to keep onions in a cool, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight. Once the onion is peeled, you can place it in a vacuum-sealed bag and store it in the refrigerator’s cooling compartment.

Eggplants are very sensitive to temperature. Storing eggplants in the refrigerator will have a counterproductive effect because at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, eggplants will lose their flavor. The best way to store eggplants is to keep them away from other fruits and vegetables.

Avoid storing tomatoes in the refrigerator as their natural flavor will be affected. Nutrient-rich foods ripen in warm environments and vice versa in cold environments. Therefore, placing tomatoes in the refrigerator will stop the ripening process and cause them to lose their original flavor.

Bananas should also not be refrigerated. The cold temperature slows down the ripening process of bananas. When planning to eat ripe bananas purchased within a few days, it is best to store them at room temperature.

For chocolate enthusiasts, chocolate-filled bread is the top choice for breakfast or a light meal. The chocolate jar should be placed on the shelf, stored at room temperature to preserve the flavor and avoid freezing.

Nuts such as peanuts, hazelnuts… will lose their delicious aroma when stored in the refrigerator because they absorb the smell of other foods in the cooling compartment. You should roast or toast the nuts, place them in sealed containers to prevent them from getting moldy.

Coffee will absorb the smell of food in the refrigerator. Therefore, coffee beans and coffee powder will maintain their standard flavor when stored in a well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight.

Citrus fruits like oranges and tangerines have a high acidity and can spoil in an overly cold environment. For oranges, this type of fruit has a thick peel layer so it can be stored at a “warmer” temperature compared to the refrigerator.

Frequently asked questions

Store potatoes at room temperature, neither too cold nor too hot. Cold refrigerator air breaks down the starch in potatoes, impacting their nutrition and flavor.

Avocados are best stored at room temperature to allow natural ripening. This fruit is most flavorful when ripe and can be kept in a dry place.

To maintain its pungency and spiciness, garlic should be sun-dried and then stored in small bags at room temperature. This prevents moisture and mold.

Whole melons, such as watermelon and cantaloupe, are best stored at room temperature to retain their antioxidant levels. However, once cut, melons can be refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Honey can be stored at room temperature for an extended period. If crystallization occurs, place the honey jar in warm water to return it to its normal liquid state.

No, bread should not be stored in the refrigerator. Instead, store bread in dry food containers and vacuum-seal it to maintain freshness.

Onions stay fresh longer when stored in a cool, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Once peeled, place the onion in a vacuum-sealed bag and store it in the refrigerator’s cooling compartment.

Eggplants are sensitive to temperature; storing them in the refrigerator causes them to lose their flavor. The best way to store eggplants is to keep them separate from other fruits and vegetables.

Tomatoes should not be refrigerated as it interrupts their ripening process and alters their natural flavor. Tomatoes ripen best in warm environments.

Bananas should not be refrigerated as it slows down their ripening process. To enjoy ripe bananas purchased within a few days, store them at room temperature.

Chocolate enthusiasts should store chocolate-filled bread at room temperature to preserve its flavor and avoid freezing. Keep the chocolate jar on a shelf.

Nuts will lose their delicious aroma if stored in the refrigerator as they absorb other food smells. Instead, roast or toast nuts and store them in sealed containers to prevent mold.

Coffee beans and powder will maintain their standard flavor when stored in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Coffee can absorb refrigerator odors.

Citrus fruits with high acidity, such as oranges and tangerines, can spoil in an overly cold environment. Oranges, with their thick peel, can be stored at a “warmer” temperature than the refrigerator.