The Ultimate Guide to Fruits You Should Never Refrigerate

According to Food.ndtv.com (India), we often mistakenly believe that preserving fruits is similar to preserving vegetables, and that they always need to be frozen or chilled. This website has listed several types of fruits that should not be stored in the refrigerator to prevent a loss of nutritional value and freshness.

1Bananas

As a tropical fruit, bananas should be stored in a cool, dry place, preferably at room temperature rather than in the fridge. When stored in the refrigerator, bananas tend to turn black, rot, and lose their flavor and nutritional value. The best way to store bananas is to keep them at room temperature and consume them gradually.

Bananas should be stored in a cool, dry place

2Tomatoes

Storing tomatoes in the refrigerator can cause their skins to wrinkle, and their flesh to break down and become watery when cut. The best way to store tomatoes is at room temperature (around 25 degrees Celsius), in a well-ventilated area. Avoid stacking tomatoes on top of each other to prevent crushing, and only buy enough for immediate consumption, as they don’t keep well for extended periods.

Refrigerating tomatoes can cause their skins to wrinkle

3Watermelons

Whole watermelons should not be refrigerated, as this will reduce the sweetness of this fruit. Fresh, whole watermelons can be stored at room temperature for over half a month, so there’s no need to worry; just keep them out until you’re ready to eat. However, once cut, watermelons should be refrigerated and wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent bacterial contamination.

Wrap cut watermelons in plastic wrap and store in the fridge

4Avocados

For unripe avocados, storing them in the refrigerator will slow down the ripening process, resulting in dry, flavorless fruit. Instead, place unripe avocados in a paper bag and store them in a well-ventilated area, or to speed up the ripening process, put them in a closed container and monitor the time to prevent over-ripening and spoilage.

For ripe avocados, refrigeration is only recommended for 2-3 days, and even then, they should not be placed directly in the fridge, as this will cause them to turn black and lose moisture.

Only store ripe avocados in the fridge for 2-3 days

5Tips for Storing Fruits in the Refrigerator

• Do not wash fruits before storing them in the refrigerator, as they can become mushy and spoil if not used immediately.
• Place fresh fruits in paper bags, wrap them, or store them in containers to prevent oxidation and shield them from substances in the fridge that might affect their quality and flavor.

Tips for storing fruits in the refrigerator

Fruits are at their best when they retain their natural flavor and nutritional value, so it’s important to know how to store them properly. Hopefully, this information will be useful to you.