Imagine munching into your go-to sandwich and finding that the bread is rough and the filling tastes stale. For another example, try to picture biting into a sweet watermelon only to find it has turned mealy. These are just a few issues that may develop while storing perishable items in the refrigerator. While refrigerating your food is essential for preserving many perishable items, some things should never be stored there. The wrong method of storing items like garlic and bread, which should not be refrigerated, might lead to unpleasant outcomes. This article will discuss foods that should never be refrigerated and why eating them at room temperature is optimal.
Avocado
Avocadoes cannot be refrigerated unripe. Putting it in the fridge stops the process of ripening it. However, after the ripening, you can safely put this in the refrigerator to prevent it from going rancid.
Bananas
Bananas may seem like they still ripen inside a refrigerator. But that is not the case. Perplexingly, only the peel of the banana ages in the fridge, while the inside retains its unripe state. It is advised that bananas are to be put outside at room temperature.
Bread
Contrary to popular belief, bread does not belong in the fridge. Bread becomes more vulnerable to going stale as it goes dry in the refrigerator. It's better to eat it fresh and store it in a dry environment covered.
Butternut Squash
You love squash and go all out and buy them in bulk. Next, you are all set to store them in the fridge. But wait! Squash generally does not require refrigeration, as it already has a month's shelf life. It's better to store it in a cool and dark place.
Cake
Believe it or not, a cake is unsuitable to be refrigerated. The only time it should be put in the fridge is for the icing to set, and that's only for a maximum of 15 minutes. As long as it is not in a hot place, a cake can be put in a container and stored somewhere else.
Chocolate
It may be unclear to see chocolate out of every other food in a list about not refrigerating. Chocolate, when refrigerating, goes grey. This phenomenon is called "chocolate bloom," which is tiny sugar crystals growing on the surface. Albeit its repulsive look, it is still safe to eat, but it would be frustrating if you wanted to give it to someone as a gift.
Coffee
There is no need to refrigerate coffee. It takes extra time to walk to the fridge and take the coffee, but its taste is also altered, and storing it in a moisture-free environment rather than in a refrigerator is better.
Cucumbers
Avoid buying too much cucumber in one go. Cucumbers don't need to be refrigerated. They must only be put in the fridge after chopping, preferably on damp tissue paper.
Garlic
Garlic should be stored in bulbs at room temperature and usually doesn't require cooling until the cloves are removed.
Herbs
You got a lot of curry leaves, mint leaves, coriander greens and celery, assuming they last longer in the refrigerator. Think again! Herbs should be preserved by putting their stem in the water, as storing them in a fridge significantly affects their shelf life.