Foods That Do Not Belong In The Fridge (And We Didn’t Know)

Heading to the grocery store and putting everything away at home is meant to be a simple task. After all, plenty of us have grown up knowing what goes where, even if we have taken a little inspiration from all those organization videos online in recent years.

What if we’ve been putting some things in the wrong place all this time? It turns out the foods that don’t belong in the fridge will do a lot better if we store them correctly at home. Long shelf-lives from our food and less waste? That’s what we like to hear.

Potatoes will rot if you store them somewhere moist

If you have potatoes in your refrigerator, you should probably remove them right away. Trust us. As a rule, potatoes need to be stored in a place that’s dry, dark, and cool. So, pretty similar to a refrigerator, right? Not quite. A refrigerator may be dark when the door is closed, but it’s definitely not cool or dry.

Instead, it’s cold and moist. Although it’s not the end of the world if you do place a single potato in your refrigerator for ten seconds, storing them in the refrigerator for long periods of time will ultimately convert the starch content in the potato into sugar. The best place to store them is in a well-ventilated area.

Peeled and unpeeled onions should be kept in a dark and cool place

Onions are a normal part of many people’s grocery shops each week. While some prefer to buy whole onions that they can do with as they please, others prefer to take a few shortcuts and buy ones that have already been peeled and chopped. Oftentimes, they are even stored in refrigerators at the store. The problem?

That doesn’t mean we should be storing them in the fridge at home. Even if you buy whole onions, keeping them in the refrigerator will cause them to soften inside the skin, ultimately turning soft and potentially turning moldy. A good alternative is to hang your onions in the pantry, with pantyhose making great storage solutions.

Avocados won’t ripen if they’re stored in the refrigerator

Let’s be honest; avocados are one of the most popular fruits on the market. It seems as though everyone loves smashed avocado on their toast - maybe even with a poached egg on top - which means that the world needs to know how to store them properly. Most of the time, the avocados you buy in the supermarket aren’t ripe.

It’s your job to ripen them at home, but you don’t do that by placing them in the refrigerator. Ripening only occurs at room temperature, and putting them in the cold will actually stop the ripening process. Try storing your avocados on the side or in the pantry instead, where they can ripen until they’re ready to use.

Fresh garlic doesn’t need to be kept cold to remain fresh

If you’re the kind of person that finds the time to use fresh garlic, then you probably don’t want all of your hard work to go to waste. After all, peeling and chopping a small clove can be pretty fiddly. To maintain the freshness of your garlic, it’s important to keep it away from your refrigerator.

That’s because garlic softens and ultimately becomes moldy if left in a cold and dark environment. The best way to preserve the appearance, the texture, and the freshness of your garlic, is actually to store it all to store it at room temperature. It’s always good to keep the vampires at bay and should mean less food waste.

Bread will quickly turn stale if it’s kept too cold

If there’s one question that’s annoyed plenty of us throughout the years, it’s where do we store our bread? While some keep it in the pantry, others prefer to store their loaves in a bread bin. Then there are those who think that bread needs to be kept in the refrigerator to estop any mold from forming.

Sadly, keeping our bread too cold could simply lead to stale bread. The cold temperatures in the refrigerator actually change the consistency of the bread you put in there and will leave it feeling dry and hard. The best way to store your bread is actually to place it in a dark and dry container, such as a bread bin.

Coffee tastes the best when it’s kept out of the sun in an airtight container

While the idea of keeping fresh coffee beans in the refrigerator might sound confusing to some, it’s more common than it seems on the surface. Fresh coffee is different from instant coffee, and each needs to be stored appropriately if you want to get the best taste from every cup you brew in the morning.

However, we’re here to remind you that you definitely shouldn’t place your coffee beans in the refrigerator. That’s because the moisture actually makes the beans stale, and this will leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth. It’s best to store your beans in an airtight container instead and to keep your coffee away from direct sunlight.

Tomatoes might struggle to ripen if kept in the refrigerator

Hands up if you’ve ever put your tomatoes in a refrigerator? Don’t worry, most of us have. Yet, we’re here to tell you that placing your tomatoes in the refrigerator will actually ruin their taste and flavor. That’s because the moisture and the cold conditions stop the tomatoes from ripening as they would in room temperate conditions.

If they don’t ripen as they normally would, they probably won’t taste like the tomatoes you love. In fact, they might not taste nice at all! If you want the best quality tomatoes, then try to keep them in a natural environment, with natural lighting, and away from other vegetables, as the gasses they release can ripen other food.

Honey will crystalize and harden if it is kept too cold

Although you might not be a honey expert, you might know that honey is packed full of natural preservatives. This means that it will look and taste good for a huge length of time before you might eventually have to say goodbye. Due to this, you won’t have to ever keep it in the refrigerator.

If you have, you might have realized placing honey in the refrigerator will actually cause it to crystallize and go extremely hard. There’s a good chance nobody wants hard honey, because there’s no way you can spread it on your toast. If you do store it here by mistake, carefully heat the jar in warm water or a microwave.

Melons don’t need to be stored in the refrigerator until they’re cut

If you know a thing or two about melons, you might know that these fruits are packed full of antioxidants. This means that they are extremely healthy and beneficial for so many people and are a great addition to our diets. However, you can hinder this healthiness if you store uncut melons in your refrigerator.

That’s because the cold and moist conditions actually remove many of the antioxidants. Although you should refrigerate your melons once they are cut, while also wrapping them in food wrap, it’s important to keep them at room temperature if you haven’t cut them up yet. The question is: how long can you resist your fresh melons?

Donuts will either go stale or soggy if kept in the refrigerator

If you love donuts as much as Homer Simpson, then you probably already know that you shouldn’t keep them in the refrigerator. That’s because the dough does not react well to the cold and damp conditions within the vessel. They will either become extremely stale to the point that even you, the donut obsessed, probably won’t enjoy it.

Even if your donuts don’t go stale, there’s a chance they will become extremely soggy and floppy. To maintain the fluffiness and the texture of a donut, you shouldn’t keep it anywhere near moisture. Instead, you should keep them in an airtight container and away from direct sunlight to make sure they are constantly delicious.

Salami is unlike other meats and prefers room temperature conditions

Salami is meat, and meat is kept in the fridge, right? Well, not in this case. Although there’s no doubt that salami is a form of meat, it’s slightly different from other types of edible on the market. That’s because it’s a preserved meat, and thrives off the oxygen that it receives out in the open.

By depriving salami of oxygen, you might find that it goes extremely dry and loses some of its signature taste and texture. So, you should instead allow it to do its own thing in a room temperature environment, such as in a pantry or a cupboard in the kitchen, where it will normally keep for around six weeks.

Matured cheeses will likely harden if they are kept too cold

Matured cheeses are pretty boring compared to those immature cheeses, aren’t they? Okay, that was perhaps a little too cheesy. When people think of cheese, they likely immediately think of the milk content and assume that it must be kept in the refrigerator. However, that isn’t always true, especially not when it comes to matured cheese.

As matured cheeses are normally cured, they don’t need to be kept in a cold and damp environment. Refrigerators will dry out these cheeses and make them much harder than they already are, and that could ruin the fact they’ve taken years to mature. Store these cheeses in a cool and dark place for the perfect amount of cheesiness.

Vinegar and vinaigrettes need to be stored differently to thrive

You don’t necessarily need to be a genius to realize that vinegar is extremely acidic. It’s this quality that actually makes it self-preserving. Due to this, you don’t need to worry about extra preservation. There’s no need to keep your vinegar in the fridge, but you do need to keep your vinaigrettes in the refrigerator.

That’s because vinaigrettes normally contain vegetables and herbs which can spoil if they’re not properly preserved. On the other hand, normal vinegar isn’t filled with things that can spoil. In short, vinegar should be kept in a cool and dark place, while vinaigrettes should be kept in a refrigerator. Why do you think we pickle things to make them last?

Basil is known to absorb moisture and smells in the refrigerator

There are usually two kinds of people in this world. There are those who use dried herbs in their cooking, and there are those who use fresh herbs. If you’re part of the latter group, then you probably have a whole host of herbs dotted around your kitchen, just waiting for the right recipe to bring their tastes to life.

Want to know where basil shouldn’t be kept? In the refrigerator. That’s because basil is an extremely absorbent herb that will wilt quickly in the fridge, while also absorbing the smell of different foods in the same area. Most cooks don’t want wilted basil that smells like beef, so store it in water at room temperature instead.

Only certain types of ketchup need to be refrigerated after opening

As you probably already know, tomato ketchup is made from, you guessed it, tomatoes. Of course, if other foods that shouldn’t be kept in the refrigerator are anything to go by, we now know that tomatoes shouldn’t be kept in the refrigerator. Apparently, the same goes for when they’ve been crushed into a delicious condiment.

One of the main reasons for this is because this product is full of preservatives that not only give it a long shelf life but also keep it fresh without needing to refrigerate it. However, if you buy low-fat or low-sugar ketchup, then you might need to store it in the fridge. Just make sure that you read the label.

Tuna will be perfectly fine kept in an unopened can

If you’ve ever wondered why tuna fish is sometimes stored in a can, then we’re here to finally answer your pressing question. Canning is a form of preservation, which allows a food to remain in perfect condition, sometimes even for a few years. As refrigeration is also a form of preservation, you don’t need to worry about doing a double-whammy.

Instead, keep your canned tuna in a cool and dark place so that the can is able to do its thing. When you decide that you want to taste some of the canned goodness, remove the leftover tuna from the can, drain any liquid, place it in an airtight container, and then place that container in the fridge.

Peanut butter will start to go hard and dry in the fridge

Peanut butter is pretty delicious, right? You can spread it on your toast, team it up with some jelly, and even bake it into cookies. It’s so yummy - and can be healthy on occasion - that plenty have a jar or two at home. That’s also why it would be a shame to ruin it by storing your peanut butter incorrectly.

So, if you want to preserve your peanut butter, you might want to avoid the refrigerator. If you do put it in this cold and damp space, you might find the peanut butter becomes dry, hard, and even begins to crystallize. This probably isn’t what you want from this spreadable delight, so keep it in a cool, dry place instead.

Nothing bad will happen, but pickles don’t need to be refrigerated

If you’re a fan of pickles, there’s a high chance you have a few jars at home, but where do you keep them? Most people would assume you should keep your pickles in the refrigerator, but that just isn’t the case. As these pickles are, yup, pickled you don’t have to add any extra preservation processes into the mix.

The pickling is more than enough to keep them fresh and tasty for as long as possible, so unless you just like your pickles to be super cold, then there’s no need to add them to your fridge shelf. It won’t necessarily do any harm, but you could be wasting precious refrigerator space by storing your pickles in the refrigerator.

Salad dressings can be stored in the cupboard, depending on the ingredients

Salads can get pretty boring if you don’t add anything to spice things up, which is why so many people love a salad dressing or two. However, if you have a dressing that is largely made from vinegar or oil, you might be happy to know that you don’t need to keep it in the refrigerator.

That’s because the vital ingredients within these dressings do not need to be refrigerated, and can instead be kept in a cupboard. Yet, it’s a different story if you have a salad dressing that is mayonnaise or yogurt-based, as these ingredients do need to be stored in the fridge. It’s all about reading the label to check before storing.

Citrus fruits can lose some nutritional value if they’re kept too cold

Citrus fruits are wonderfully sweet, and it’s always good to know that they can be super healthy. It’s often easy to find the likes of lemons, oranges, and grapefruits in the supermarket, but you might want to take note of where you find them. Do you pick them up from the refrigerated section or somewhere else in the store?

Yes, it’s the second one. Instead of changing up the rules, you should follow in the same footsteps as your local supermarket, because refrigerating citrus fruits can actually delay the ripening process. As if that wasn’t enough, it can also remove some of the nutrients from the cell membranes, meaning we miss out on some of the health benefits.

Cucumber can get torn and absorb harmful bacteria in the fridge

Plenty of us store vegetables and salad items in the fridge because we believe it keeps them fresh for longer, but it seems as though that isn’t always the case. Researchers at the University of California have found that storing your cucumber in the fridge could actually cause more damage than if you kept it at room temperature.

It’s been noted that the cold temperatures can cause little tears in the skin which will ultimately absorb any bacteria in the air and then rot the insides. To combat this, always keep your cucumber in a room temperate environment and away from direct sunlight. At least that’s the case until you cut into it, anyway.

Bananas won’t necessarily keep their vital nutrients if stored incorrectly

Grabbing fruit from the store and knowing where to store it at home can often be easier said than done. After all, plenty are displayed in large refrigerators, but does that mean they all need to go in the fridge when we get home? Not necessarily. While some believe keeping bananas in the refrigerator will preserve them, it’s not true.

The cold temperature slows down the ripening process for this fruit, which can also slow down the release of vital nutrients. Due to this, it’s actually healthier to eat bananas that have been kept out on the countertop or in a fruit bowl. It’s also better to buy a selection of ripe and unripe bananas at the same time.

Carrots will rot a lot faster when kept in the refrigerator

Most refrigerators come complete with drawers designed to hold your vegetables, but should you really use them? Well, not for carrots. When you think about it, carrots grow in the ground, away from the cold and sunlight. While it might be cooler underground, it’s nowhere near as cold as the refrigerator - and that’s our first clue.

Carrots don’t need any extra darkness or moisture to help them out when they are harvested. If these orange vegetables are exposed to too much moisture, they will actually start to rot and become moldy. This means you won’t be able to eat them and they’ll likely become compost before you get the chance to cut them up.

Chocolate will lose some of its taste due to conditions in the fridge

Most people don’t want their chocolate to melt, do they? When the temperatures begin to rise, it can often seem natural to keep your chocolate in the refrigerator to keep it intact. However, you may have realized by now that placing your chocolatey goodness in the cold can actually change its taste quite a bit.

This isn’t just because it’s cold, but also because the conditions actually change the consistency and the flavor of your favorite sweet treat. If you want to avoid this, try to find somewhere cool and dark to keep it instead, such as in the cupboard or pantry. Your sweet tooth will likely thank you later.

Cereal will stay crisp and fresh in an airtight container

We’re not sure who needs to hear this, but you do not need to refrigerate your cereal. Before you add milk to your breakfast, it’s easy to see that the flakes and the yummy goodness is extremely dry. That’s because it’s designed and made that way, and cereal companies use a process called toasting or drying to get these results.

One of the main reasons for this is because this process acts as a form of preservation. This means that cereal will keep in your pantry for weeks on end, and still remain fresh and crunchy. If you can, make sure you keep your cereal in an airtight container to avoid any traces of moisture.

Flour is known to absorb any unwanted smells and moisture

Have you ever put flour in your refrigerator? Well, if you have it in your fridge right now, you should probably go and remove it. That’s because one of the main properties of flour is that it absorbs anything close to it. This includes smells, odors, and moisture, which probably isn’t what you want from this baking staple.

We don’t want to paint a rather disgusting picture, but keeping flour in the refrigerator will provide you with a smelly lump of wet sludge, and we’re pretty sure you don’t want to put that in your pancakes. It’s best to keep your flour in an airtight container in a dry location, such as in the cupboard.

Bell peppers don’t need to be refrigerated until they’re cut

Vegetables should always be kept in the fridge, right? Wrong! Well, it can be that way. When you buy vegetables in the supermarket, some of them are kept in chillers, while others are not. Bell peppers aren’t kept in the chiller, which means that you don’t have to store them like this when you get home.

That’s because the cold and dark temperatures of a fridge actually dull the taste and color of peppers, and could actually cause the peppers to go bad quicker than those that are kept on the counter. Of course, it’s a different story when you cut your peppers, as you will need to keep these refrigerated until used.

Jam is filled with its own natural preservatives

If you didn’t already know, jam is pretty chock-full of sugar. Although this is to upgrade the taste, it’s also used to preserve the product for as long as possible. When you have a full, unopened jar of jam, you don’t need to worry about keeping it in the refrigerator because the preservation process will keep it in check.

You might be happy to know that this doesn’t change when you’ve opened it either. That’s because you can keep it outside the fridge at all times - unless you have bought a jam that’s low in sugar. In this case, it will contain fewer preservatives and should be given a helping hand to stay fresh and safe.

Spices keep their flavor better when they’re somewhere dry and dark

Have you ever seen wet spices? The chances are that the answer is no. Spices are created using a form of dehydration, which makes them as dry as possible. This way, their flavor will be enhanced when you add them to your dishes, and they can also be stored pretty easily at home without any extra work needed.

Adding moisture to your spices will not help in any way when you’re not using them, so try to avoid keeping them in your refrigerator at all costs. They will last for years in your cupboards, but try to keep this storage area as dry and as dark as possible to keep as much flavor locked in as you can.

Apples will start to lose their nutritional goodness when they’re refrigerated

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it might not keep the doctor away if you keep it in the refrigerator. That’s because apples need to be stored in a cool and dry place for you to reap the best rewards. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean we need to worry about filling our fridges with all our favorite fruit.

Keeping apples in a moisture-ridden vessel such as a refrigerator can actually destroy the nutrients within the fruit, and leave them feeling soggy and tasting a little strange. It’s best to keep your apples away from the refrigerator at all costs because they are so much better for you when they are fresh and tasty. You heard it here first.

Pears are deliberately picked unripe so they can ripen at home

If you’re up to date with your pear-picking techniques, you will likely know that pears always need to be picked when they are unripe. This allows them to ripen in the supermarket and when you take them home with you, so that they are perfectly sweet and crisp when you’re next ready for a fruity snack.

However, storing them in your refrigerator will actually stunt the ripening process and often leave you with bitter and hard pears that just won’t tickle your fancy. Of course, if you’re worried about your pears once they have ripened fully, you can keep them in your fridge to maintain such perfection until you’re hungry again.

Soy sauce is fermented, meaning it can preserve itself

Soy sauce is a staple ingredient within Asian cooking, and there’s a high chance that you’ve got a bottle in your kitchen. Yet, where do you keep it? What you might not realize about soy sauce is that it’s actually made during a fermentation process and therefore needs to be stored a little differently from other sauces.

The fermentation process acts as a form of preservation, which means that soy sauce doesn’t need to make its way into the refrigerator. This fermentation will allow the sauce to reside in your pantry for months or even years on end and will make sure that it won’t spoil the flavor, the smell, or the texture.

Hot sauce doesn’t need the cold to remain fresh once opened

If you’re the kind of person that likes to spice up their life, you probably need more than just the Spice Girls’ album. Instead, you buy the hottest hot sauce you can find and add it to your food to heat things up. It’s not to everyone’s tastes, but there’s a reason we’re all so different as people.

Whether you have an unopened or opened bottle of hot sauce, you should always keep it away from the refrigerator. That’s because it just doesn’t need the cold and moisture. Although the color of your hot sauce may fade after you’ve kept it in a cupboard, it won’t change anything about the consistency or the flavor. You’re all good.

Eggplants don’t cope very well with extreme changes of temperature

As it’s a vegetable, there’s a high chance that your natural instinct is to keep your eggplants in the refrigerator. However, it’s best to keep them away from this kind of environment. That’s because eggplants are pretty sensitive souls, and don’t deal well with changing temperatures that often come from being stored in the fridge.

The cold temperature will slow down their ripening process and can leave the eggplant looking and tasting a little deflated. To get the most out of your eggplant, it’s best to keep it away from direct sunlight and to keep it away from other vegetables and fruit. They just like to be alone, is that too much to ask?

Pineapple doesn’t need the refrigerator until it’s peeled and cut

Unlike many other fruits on the market, a pineapple is picked when it’s ripe enough to eat. It doesn’t need to ripen anymore, and it’s perfect to eat from the get-go. Due to this, you don’t have to keep it in the refrigerator as the ripening process can’t be changed once you’ve got your pineapple home.

Instead, keep it in your fruit bowl or just on the countertop, and enjoy the fact that you have a pineapple at your disposal. Once you decide to chop into this bad boy and taste the sweet fruit, cut it all up and then place your uneaten pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Sweet potatoes will often turn hard and bitter when kept in the fridge

If you’re just as obsessed with sweet potatoes as others, your natural instinct might be to keep them in the refrigerator. Want our advice? Don’t do that. The cold temperature and the moist environment of a fridge will actually cause damage to the cell membranes of a sweet potato, and this can leave it feeling hard and bitter.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the hard potatoes will then be difficult to cut and take even longer to soften when you boil or cook them. To maintain the soft and sweet texture and taste of sweet potatoes, keep them in a cool and dry cupboard in something that allows for a lot of airflow.

Every type of bean needs to be stored somewhere different

Let’s be honest; there are so many different beans in this world. You can buy cans of beans, you can buy dehydrated beans, and you can even buy fresh green beans. All of them require different storage methods, so it’s important to take note before assuming they all need to go in the same place.

Cans of beans and dehydrated beans do not need to make their way into your refrigerator because they have already gone through their own form of preservation. However, if you have fresh green beans, then you should keep them in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and their taste. It’s all about checking which beans you have.

Olives can be one of the more confusing foods when it comes to storage

It’s fair to say that olives divide the world. There are many people who love them, while there are others who hate the mere sight of them. It seems as though this division is apparent in terms of their storage options. That’s because you don’t always have to refrigerate your olives - but sometimes you do.

It’s not as confusing as it sounds, we promise. Canned olives don’t need to make their way into the refrigerator because they have already been preserved. However, you should always refrigerate your olives if you have opened the can and eaten some of them. An airtight container would be preferable, as well as the juices from the can.

Beef jerky has already been preserved and shouldn’t need any extra help

Beef Jerky is made from beef, so surely it needs to be kept in the refrigerator? Well, not quite. The main reason people like this product is because it’s already been smoked, dehydrated, salted, and then cured. However, it also means that it needs something different from other storage methods that come with other meats.

The cooking process preserves it and creates the signature texture, which also allows you to keep it out of the refrigerator. There’s no need to introduce a cold or moist environment when beef jerky is involved because you can just keep it in a dry and cool cupboard instead. Just be sure to double-check unsalted jerky.

Unopened yogurt actually doesn’t have to be refrigerated

When you think about it, yogurt is a pretty strange product. It’s quite literally made from bacteria, and we willingly put this in our bodies. Weird, right? What you might not know about this bacteria is that it doesn’t need to be refrigerated when the yogurt pot is unopened, which might be enough to see a few jaws drop.

That’s because your fridge stops bacteria from growing - which isn’t exactly necessary when yogurt is involved. You can keep unopened yogurt in a cupboard for weeks without any worries, but it’s important to transport it to the fridge when you’ve opened it. If not, you might find that bacteria grows out of control and becomes dangerous.

Butter can be stored in various places, depending on the type

Hands up if you’ve ever had a debate about butter? There’s a high chance you have, because it seems as though everyone has their own idea about where it should be stored. There are some that think it should be kept in the fridge, while others who believe it should be kept out on the counter. The right answer?

It’s different for various types of butter. For salted butter, the salt in the product automatically preserves it, meaning you don’t have to worry about putting it in the fridge. If you buy unsalted butter, you can keep it out of the refrigerator for around a week, but any longer and you’ll need to move it to the fridge.

Potato chips will quickly turn soggy if they’re kept in the refrigerator

We don’t know why anyone would want to make their potato chips cold, but if you are considering whether you should put your potato chips in the fridge or not, we’d suggest you don’t. Keeping your potato chips away from the fridge means you can keep them by your side, but can also leave you with crispy and fresh chips.

If you do try them in the fridge, you’ll likely see the moist environment makes them stale and soggy, and not nice in the slightest. Thanks to the salt content and the airtight packaging, potato chips can last for months before you open them. Once opened, use a food clip to keep as much air out as possible.

The refrigerator will see crackers absorb unwanted moisture and flavors

Have you ever had a soggy cracker? If you have, there’s a high chance that you vowed never to have another one ever again. As they are designed to be crisp and crack with a snap, you need to make sure that you keep this food in a cool and dry place if you want to keep those qualities.

Placing them in a moist refrigerator won’t do your crackers any favors, because they will immediately absorb the moisture in the air and lose their flavor. If you do have to take your crackers out of their original packaging, make sure you find an airtight container that will keep them fresh and out of harm’s way.

UHT cow’s milk can last for months without ever being refrigerated

If you’re not up to date on the various kinds of milk in this world, then we’ll give you a low-down on what UHT milk is. This type of milk goes through an extremely rigorous pasteurization process using super high temperatures, resulting in something a little different from normal milk we often get at the supermarket.

Due to this process, bacteria is removed from the product, and the chance of it going bad is reduced. In fact, UHT milk can last for months away from the refrigerator in a cool, dry cupboard. Once you’ve opened the milk, you should keep it in the fridge to maintain the taste. Nobody likes warm milk in their cereal, right?

Molasses will naturally preserve themselves outside of the fridge

Whether you know it as molasses or black treacle, you’ll probably know that this product can come in helpful every so often. Sure, the appearance and texture of this sweetener might not be the most attractive thing in the world, but it’s definitely tasty when used in the right ways - and won’t take up space in your refrigerator.

That’s because the high sugar content of this product keeps bacteria at bay. There’s no need to keep it cold, and there’s no need to keep it in a moist environment. All you need to do is pop this in your cupboard, and whip it out when you decide to cook up a storm in the kitchen.

Certain fruits will lose any goodness and taste when refrigerated

Just as fruits are all different, they should also be stored differently. They all thrive in various different environments, so it’s important to take note of this before you shove them all into the refrigerator. Certain fruits, such as kiwis, mangoes, plums, apricots, and peaches, should all be kept away from the fridge if you want to keep them fresh.

That’s because the cold temperatures can damage and destroy the cell membranes and, therefore, the nutrient value within these fruits, which will likely leave them rotting before you know it. To keep these fruits for as long as possible, make sure you keep them in natural sunlight and somewhere at room temperature, such as in a fruit bowl.

Nuts and dried fruits don’t need added layers of preservation

There are so many ways to stay healthy in this world, and there are so many various ways to eat fruit and other healthy food. If you are a fan of nuts and dried fruits, you might have wondered where you are supposed to keep them. Well, you definitely don’t need to keep them in the refrigerator.

Nuts are often roasted or salted, which acts as a preservation process. The same can be said for dried fruit when they are dried and dehydrated. This means that you don’t have to add any more preservation into the mix, because they’re already perfect and ready to go. Simply keep them in an airtight container instead.

Peanuts will spoil faster if you store them in the fridge

If you love to grab yourself a handful of peanuts every so often, you’ll likely know that these salty nuts are pretty moreish. Due to this, it can be super easy to make your way through a whole bag without needing to worry about where you’re going to store them in your kitchen once you’re done.

If you do manage to control yourself, then we’ll give you a little tip: there’s no need to put peanuts in the refrigerator because the moisture actually forces them to spoil quicker. If you want them to keep as fresh as possible, then keep them in a dark, dry cupboard in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.

Papaya ripens better and more evenly on the countertop

Papaya can often seem like one of the most intimidating fruits on the planet, but you don’t need to be scared of this pretty little thing. It’s your job to make sure that this fruit ripens at home, and the best way to do this is to keep it away from the refrigerator and stored somewhere better.

Merely place papaya on your countertop, where it can ripen on its own. All you need to do is turn it occasionally to make sure that the whole thing ripens evenly, so you can enjoy it as much as possible. As your refrigerator stunts the ripening of fruit, you want to avoid eating an unripe papaya. It’s not tasty.

Popcorn won’t pop as well when it’s kept somewhere too cold

Although we don’t think we’ve ever met anyone who has put their popcorn in the refrigerator, it seems as though there are a few people who have done just that. Why anyone would want cold popcorn is beyond us, but placing your popcorn kernels in the fridge will actually serve no purpose when it comes to this delicious snack.

That’s because the cold temperatures actually affect how well they pop, and you may find yourself with tiny popcorn or kernels that just refuse to pop altogether. Instead, keep your kernels in an airtight container somewhere where they can take advantage of the room temperature. Don’t let your fridge be the thing to spoil your popcorn game, guys.

Sugar won’t get any benefits from being store in the fridge

One thing you might have noticed is how sugar is one of the best preservatives, even if we know we shouldn’t have too much of it in our diets to keep things nice and balanced. Of course, that might mean it’s a little obvious that sugar can easily preserve itself and doesn't need to be kept in the refrigerator.

Of course, storing sugar in the fridge will make your sugar cold and damp, but that’s about it. To preserve your sugar as much as possible, make sure that you keep it in room temperature surroundings. The drier, the better. If you’re worried about the sugar attracting pests, then keep it in an airtight container.

Cookies will stay fresher for longer in an airtight container

Most people love cookies, right? So, you wouldn’t want to ruin them by storing them incorrectly, would you? We didn’t think so. When you’ve baked some delicious cookies and they have cooled down, it can make sense to keep them in the refrigerator, so they keep fresh, but that might not be the best move.

It turns out storing them in the fridge will actually have an adverse effect. The cold and moist conditions of the refrigerator can dry your cookies out and even take away some of their flavors. You probably don’t want them becoming stale, so keep them in an airtight container where you can keep them as fresh as possible.

Barbecue sauce needs different storage conditions, depending on the container

If you decant your barbecue sauce into a pot and keep it in your fridge, you’re probably just following the instructions on the bottle. That’s because most companies tell you to refrigerate their barbecue sauce. Of course, you should totally do that if you keep it in the bottle, but not if you pour it into another container.

That’s because the moisture in your refrigerator allows odors and food bits to move around the air, and this can ultimately make its way into your sauce. Not only is this pretty gross in terms of when you eat the sauce, but it can also increase the chance of mold growing within the condiment while it’s stored.

Fish sauce is designed to be kept in the cupboard, not the fridge

Do you like a splash of fish sauce? If you do, we want you to know that you should never store this sauce in your refrigerator. That’s because this sauce is fermented for anything from weeks to years to create the texture and the taste, and this fermentation process makes it safe to keep in a cupboard.

This means that it’s technically already gone bad, but in a good way! Yes, it may sound pretty strange, but that’s exactly what goes on when companies produce their fish sauce. Instead of storing this product in the fridge, fish sauce is totally safe to place in the cupboard, so long as it’s not in direct sunlight.

Mustard is designed to last for years without being stored in the refrigerator

If you’ve ever looked at the back of a mustard sauce bottle, you might have noticed that there is no expiry date. Sure, there’s a use-by date, but that’s the only date that’s often available to customers. That’s because it will take years and years for mustard to go off, making preserving the condiment a lot easier.

The product is created to be immune to bacteria, meaning it should never spoil. This means you don’t have to keep it in the fridge and can keep it in your pantry instead. It’s natural for mustard to become a little dry, but this doesn’t mean it’s gone bad. Simply add a little vinegar to bring things back to life.

Sliced cassava needs a very specific storage solution to remain fresh

Whether you know it as cassava or yuca, there’s a good chance some people use cassava in their cuisine far more than others, such as plenty of South American cultures. However, some keen cooks avoid this plant at all costs because it can be extremely difficult to store and keep fresh until it’s ready to use.

If you are eating the whole plant at once, you don’t need to worry about storage. Yet, if you have some left over and want to keep it fresh, you have to follow a very specific set of instructions. You have to store it in water, but ensure that you also change this water every three to four days.

Hummus doesn’t often do well, regardless of how it’s stored

It seems the world is becoming more and more obsessed with hummus, and it’s perhaps not hard to see why. As one of the most healthy and protein-packed foods, hummus is absolutely delicious - but it’s also known for going bad pretty quickly. Due to this, most fans of hummus make sure they keep their hummus in the refrigerator.

However, this is actually detrimental to the hummus-eating process. The taste of this food is what wins most fans over, but the moisture in the refrigerator can alter this famous taste. To keep it perfect for as long as its shelf-life will provide, you should eat it as soon as you buy it. That shouldn’t be hard.

Muffins can be frozen, but they shouldn’t be stored in the refrigerator

If you’re the kind of person who loves to see themselves as the next big baker, then there’s a high chance you already know you shouldn’t keep muffins in the refrigerator. That’s because the moisture in the fridge messes up the texture of the muffin, and you’ll soon discover that they become soggy and rather tasteless.

Nobody wants to spoil the taste or the texture of a delicious muffin, right? So, try not to be like that guy. Keep them in an airtight container so that you can eat them as soon as possible, or freeze them if you can’t quite handle them all in one go or want to save some for later.

Apple cider vinegar can last for years without any intervention

Just because it has vinegar in the name doesn’t mean that apple cider vinegar is like every other type on the market. For one, there have been several studies into the health benefits that come from apple cider vinegar. Then there’s the fact it doesn’t need to be stored like other liquids and flavors on the market.

This means you don’t have to do anything else to preserve its shelf-life. In fact, this product can sit on your countertop for years before you eventually have to throw it away. The likelihood is that you would have already used it up by that time, so you have absolutely no worries. What more could you want to hear?

Unripe peaches will never ripen if they are stored in the fridge

There are certain fruits that just don’t like being anywhere near the cold, and unripe peaches have joined that club. Although ripe peaches will just about survive for a day or two in these conditions, unripe peaches just don’t have a chance if you decide to keep them in the refrigerator instead of on the counter.

The cold and moisture in the fridge could mean peaches stay unripe forever and leave you unable to enjoy them properly. If you want them to ripen naturally, keep them on the countertop until they start to change. If you want them to ripen quickly, stick them in a paper bag alongside a ripe banana.

Soy milk can be left out of the fridge, depending on where it’s from

Soy milk is becoming increasingly popular among those who want to avoid animal products or have allergies. That’s because this milk is made by soaking and grinding up soybeans to create a creamy milk. If you’re obsessed with this milk and want to buy 10,000 cartons, then you should be happy to know that you can do just that.

Soy milk can remain unopened and away from the fridge for years, and you only need to move it to the cold when you’ve opened the carton and exposed it to the elements. However, if you buy soy milk that is chilled in the store, you need to uphold this trend and place it straight in the refrigerator once home.

Dried noodles don’t need to be refrigerated until they’re cooked

Unless you buy fresh noodles or make your own, you’ll likely know the dried kind from the store are crunchy and hard before they’re cooked. That’s because they have been dried, which means that they can last for years. In fact, it’s been noted that they can last for more than two years past their expiry date.

We probably don’t need to tell you that this only applies to noodles that have been unopened, because opened noodles are a whole different ball game. If you have already cooked your noodles, we’d advise that you place them in your refrigerator until you’re ready to eat them again. Don’t leave it too long, though…

Fresh and dried oregano both require different storage solutions

Once again, we are faced with two different kinds of people when it comes to how we use oregano. Are you in favor of dried oregano or fresh oregano? Well, if you take the often longer-lasting way out and buy dried oregano, then you don’t need to worry about keeping this herb in a refrigerator.

You can keep it in your cupboard, where it can stay for years. However, fresh oregano is a different story. Although experts suggest you keep your oregano in the refrigerator to keep it fresh, this can encourage it to absorb smells and become contaminated. To combat this, you can instead keep your oregano in a glass filled with water.

Jell-o isn’t a health risk until it’s opened and exposed to the elements

We probably don’t need to tell you that jell-o is full of sugar. It’s this sugar content that helps to maintain its shape, its texture, its taste, and its longevity. If you have an unopened packet of jell-o, you can now rest easy knowing that you can keep it in your cupboard for years without any worries.

That’s because this food is basically immune to bacteria when in its packaging, but things change a little when you open that packet up. While you don’t have to then place it in the refrigerator, you do have to make sure that you eat it as quickly as possible. We can’t imagine that would be too much of an issue.

Ginger does better in the freezer or on the counter

Whether you are a fan of powdered ginger or the real deal, you need to make a note of the fact that you have to store this spice in a specific way. If you buy fresh ginger, you can keep it on your countertop for a few days before you eat it without any issues.

However, you need to ensure that you keep it out of direct sunlight. If you’re not going to eat all of it, you don’t have to worry. Merely store it in your freezer, and you’ll be golden. Of course, if you opt for powdered ginger, you don’t need to think about anything other than keeping it in your pantry.

Pumpkin doesn’t need to be in the fridge until you’ve cut it open

Although many people only add pumpkin to their diet at the end of the year - yes, we’re looking at you, fall - there are others who prefer to find uses for this squash plant throughout the year, whenever you decide to tuck into a delicious serving, it’s important that you remember how to store it correctly.

To maintain the texture, color, and the taste of pumpkin, keep it in a dark and dry cupboard. If you do place it in the refrigerator, you might see it become soggy, colorless, and tasteless. Once you’ve cut into your pumpkin and want to save it for later, you can place it in the refrigerator wrapped in food wrap.

Olive oil will likely go cloudy and lumpy if it gets too cold

Many foods are preserved in oil, so it might come as no surprise to learn that olive oil does not need to be stored in the fridge. If you’ve ever placed this oil in the cold and moist addition to your kitchen, you might have noticed that it becomes cloudy and lumpy when exposed to these conditions.

So, it’s best not to do this at all. Keep olive oil and other oils in a room temperate area, and try to keep it out of direct sunlight. This will enable it to preserve itself and stay perfect for years to come, as well as making it easier to pour. What could be better than that?

Eggs might not cope with the changing temperature of the refrigerator

Where do you keep your eggs? If you ask the people around you, there’s a high chance that you’ll strike a heated debate. That’s because there are many people who swear by keeping their eggs in the refrigerator, while there are others who avoid it entirely. Is there a right answer? It turns out there is.

According to researchers, it’s actually better to keep your eggs in a room temperate environment, because the changing temperatures supposedly force them to leave some of their flavors. By opening and closing the fridge door, you can’t maintain a constant temperature. Instead, keeping them on the counter in their original packaging should keep your eggs fresher for longer.