Illustration photo: Internet
It is important to remember that not all foods are suitable for refrigeration, not to mention that each type of food has different storage methods.
Foods stored in the refrigerator can become “poison” if not stored properly. If you don’t want your health to be affected, you should remove these types of foods from the refrigerator.
Bread
In any case, putting bread in the refrigerator is a mistake. Slices of bread (or any type of baked goods) absorb the cold air in the refrigerator, or they will become moldy and change their taste, or they will become dry and hard.
The best way to store bread is in a bag with air vents in a normal room will last longer than storing in the refrigerator. But if left longer than allowed, the bread will also lose its soft and fluffy texture.
Tomato
Many studies have shown that tomatoes stored in a natural environment have a better aroma than those stored in the refrigerator. Storing tomatoes at temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius will affect the nutrients of this fruit. The cold temperature changes the natural structure and hampers the production of volatile compounds in tomatoes. 65% of these compounds will disappear if stored in the refrigerator.
The best way is to keep tomatoes in a natural and cool environment.
Onions
Like tomatoes, onions tend to become soft or moldy if stored in the refrigerator for too long. Especially if the onions have been cut into small pieces, they will dry out even if you have tightly wrapped them. In addition, onions have a very strong odor, which can spread in closed environments like the refrigerator, causing all other foods to be infected with the smell. Onions themselves will also lose their original flavor.
Unripe Peaches, Plums, and Apricots
These unripe fruits should not be stored in the refrigerator until they ripen because the low temperature will prevent the natural ripening process of green fruits. If the fruit is ripe and there is a risk of spoilage if not consumed completely, you can store it in the refrigerator. In that case, remember to wrap the fruit tightly and avoid storing it with fresh ingredients, limiting the transfer of odor and bacteria.
Chocolate
You only need to keep chocolate in a dark, cool place but not in the refrigerator. When you put chocolate in the refrigerator, after a while, a white film will appear on the surface of the chocolate, resulting from condensed water vapor.
Garlic
If you store dried garlic in the refrigerator, the garlic will shrink and lose moisture, and the taste of garlic will also “evaporate,” which we often call it losing its smell. The longer the garlic is stored, the less flavor it retains, and it no longer has the original taste. Not only that, the smell of garlic also affects other types of food or causes reactions, leading to an unpleasant odor in the refrigerator.
Potatoes
When stored at temperatures from 7 degrees Celsius and below, the starch in potatoes is converted into sugar. As a result, the state and taste of potatoes will change in an unfavorable direction. Therefore, you should store them in a paper bag. Also, avoid storing potatoes in plastic bags, as the accumulated moisture cannot escape and will cause the potatoes to rot faster.
Honey
Honey does not have a specific expiration date and can last for years if stored properly. You only need to store honey in a dark, cool place, but not in the refrigerator. In the refrigerator, honey may crystallize and lose some nutrients.
Olive Oil
Olive oil should be stored at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight. You should not put olive oil in the refrigerator because the low temperature will result in the formation of white specks in the oil, which is condensed water.
Bananas
The cold temperature will slow down the ripening process of bananas. However, if the temperature is too low, it can make the bananas soft and slightly bitter when ripe. Therefore, green bananas should be kept at room temperature. If the bananas are ripe and you cannot eat them all, you can store them in the refrigerator. The peel of the bananas will continue to turn brown, but the fruit is still perfect.
Oranges and Other Citrus Fruits
You can leave them on the kitchen counter, and they won’t spoil too quickly. If you peel them but don’t finish eating, you should wrap the fruit peel back in and put it in an airtight bag.
Sausages
Sausages can stay fresh for a long time, even when the package is opened.
Basil
Basil absorbs odors from the refrigerator, so it is best to keep fresh basil by placing it in a cup or water bottle and leaving it on the kitchen counter, similar to how you treat flowers. You can do this with other herbs as well.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the foods that should not be kept in the refrigerator because it will lose its flavor, and when you drink it, it will no longer taste delicious. In addition, coffee has a special property of absorbing all the smells around it, which will eliminate the unique coffee aroma and replace it with the smell of all the other foods in the refrigerator.
The best way is to store coffee in a sealed box and keep it at room temperature.
Butter
Storing butter is a difficult task. If the fruit is ripe, you can keep it in the refrigerator because the low temperature will save it from spoiling. But if the fruit is not fully ripe, you should not put it in the refrigerator because the cold will slow down the ripening process and even prevent the butter from ripening.
Eggplant
This fruit cannot withstand low temperatures. In the refrigerator, eggplants become soft and lose quality very quickly. The best thing is to keep eggplants at room temperature (25 degrees Celsius), avoiding direct sunlight.
Cucumbers
You can store cucumbers in the refrigerator, but they will only stay fresh for a day or two. In fact, the low temperature will quickly spoil cucumbers. To keep cucumbers fresh for a long time, you should keep them outside the refrigerator, in a dark and cool place.
Ketchup and Mayonnaise
Ketchup and mayonnaise can be stored at room temperature for about a month because they contain acid that inhibits bacterial growth.
Rice
Rice can be stored in a box or plastic bag for up to one year. If stored in a sealed box, brown rice can be used for 1-2 years.
Beans
Beans do not need to be stored in the refrigerator. In fact, the humidity in the refrigerator can cause beans to sprout.
Black Pepper
Black pepper does not need to be put in the refrigerator. They will taste better if placed in an open basket on a shelf.
According to Tien Phong
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