Many of us are not even aware that some of our favorite food items should not be refrigerated as it alters the taste, quality, texture, and nutrition value. 

The cold temperature of the refrigerator keeps food fresh and slows the growth of bacteria. However, certain types of food should not be kept in the fridge as it can make them go bad faster or cause them to lose their flavor and texture. 

25 Items Foods You Should Not Refrigerate

Here is a list of food items that you should not refrigerate and the reasons why:

1. Potatoes

Cold temperatures convert starch into sugar, making potatoes sweeter and affecting their flavor. It is best to store them in a cool, dark, and dry place such as a pantry.

2. Tomatoes

In most of the houses, Tomatoes find a place in the fridge. However, when you refrigerate tomatoes, they lose their flavor and become mealy. It is best to store them at a cold temperature on the countertop or in a basket.

3. Bananas

Bananas need room temperature to ripen properly. When you refrigerate them, the ripening process is slowed down and the fruit’s skin turns black.

4. Onions

The onions absorb the flavors of other food items easily. When you store them in the fridge, they pick up the flavors of different things and make them taste bad. It is best to keep them in a cool, dry, dark place like a pantry.

5. Avocado

Avocados are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed in many different ways. However, one important thing to note about avocados is that their ripening process is delayed when stored in refrigerators. For this reason, it is best to keep them on kitchen counters where they can ripen properly and be enjoyed at their best.

6. Whole Melons

It’s good to keep it below +5 degrees Celsius or in a cool and dry place. However, in summer, you can keep it for an hour in the fridge before cutting it. The cold temperature will make the melon sweeter and juicier.

7. Garlic

Most people think the fridge is the best place to store all their food. However, there are certain foods that you should not refrigerate and garlic is one of them. The reason for this is because the fridge has cold and moist air which can cause the garlic to sprout and develop mold on the skin. Garlic is best stored in a dry place with plenty of ventilation.

8. Cucumber

Cucumbers are one of those vegetables that you might not think twice about storing in the fridge. After all, isn’t that where most vegetables belong? However, cucumbers are one of the few vegetables that are better off not being stored in the fridge. The skin of cucumbers withers first when stored in cold temperatures, making their shelf life even shorter. So if you want your cucumbers to last longer, store them in a cool, dry place like the pantry.

9. Peppers

When it comes to peppers, the cold can make them lose their crispiness. This is true for all colors of bell peppers, including green, red, and orange. So if you want to keep your peppers crisp, it’s best to store them below +5°C or 41°F temperature.

10. Apricots, Kiwis, Peaches, and Mangoes

There are certain fruits that you should not refrigerate if you want them to taste their best. Apricots, kiwis, peaches, and mangoes are fruits with hard seeds that need fresh air and light to ripen properly. Storing them in the fridge will cause them to develop crystals, accelerating the decaying process. If you want these fruits to taste sweet and juicy, you should store them below +5°C or 41°F temperature.

11. Mint

The mint is a refreshing herb often used in culinary dishes and as a decorative garnish. Most people assume that mint should be kept in the fridge, but this isn’t the best place. Mint does well at room temperature, and if you trim the stems and place them in a pot of cold water, they will do even better. 

You wouldn’t want to refrigerate mint because the cold temperature can cause the leaves to turn black. If you’re going to keep your mint fresh for as long as possible, store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

12. Sweet Potatoes: 

These are delicious and nutritious root vegetables. However, they should not be refrigerated. Cold temperatures convert the starch in sweet potatoes into sugar much sooner than warm temperatures. This can cause the sweet potatoes to develop spuds or small, hard bumps. If you want to keep your sweet potatoes fresh, store them in a cool, dark place.

13. Basil

Basil is a delicate herb that can easily wilt if not stored properly. Storing basil in cold temperatures can cause black spots on the leaves. If you want to keep your basil fresh, store it in a cool, dry place.

14. Coffee

The coffees should be stored in an airtight container on a pantry shelf. If coffee is stored in the refrigerator, it can lose its flavor and smell like other foods that are stored in the fridge.

15. Oils

Fats in all oils – olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, and other cooking oils – will solidify in cold temperatures, making the oil less palatable and less healthy. It’s best to store oils in a cool, dry place.

16. Honey

The honey can last for decades if stored in a cool, dry place. The cold temperature of the fridge will crystallize honey and change its texture.

17. Cereals

Cereals need no refrigeration and can be easily stored in airtight containers in the pantry. Storing grains in the fridge can make them absorb moisture and smell like other foods.

18. Dried Beans

The dried beans should not be stored in the refrigerator as the moist air can cause them to sprout. Additionally, the flavor of the beans can be compromised.

19. Jams and Jelly

Jams and jellies are two of the most common items on the list of foods that don’t need to be refrigerated. That’s because they contain a lot of sugar, which is a natural preservative. Once opened; however, they should be stored in the refrigerator at 5°C or 41°F.

20. Vinegar

Storing vinegar in the refrigerator can make it lose its flavor over time. Vinegar is best stored in a cool, dry place.

21. Hot Sauces

Hot sauces contain plenty of vinegar, which can react badly with the cold temperature of the fridge. It’s best to store hot sauces in a cool, dry place.

22. Ketchup

Most of us store ketchup in the fridge, but the vinegar in ketchup will react badly with the cold temperature. Ketchup is best stored in a cool, dry place. However, Once opened they should be stored in the refrigerator at 5°C or 41°F.

23. Mustards

Like ketchup, mustard can be stored in a cool, dry place. Storing mustard in the fridge can increase acidity levels over time.

24. Bread

Cold temperatures in the fridge can make bread go dry and stale. Bread is best stored in a cool, dry place.

25. Nuts

Storing nuts in the fridge can make them attract lurking smells from the fridge. Additionally, the nutty flavor of nuts can be compromised. It’s best to store nuts in a cool, dry place.

Conclusion

Hope the above guide will be helpful for you to understand which food items you should not refrigerate. There are few food items that get spoiled or damaged if kept in the refrigerator. So, it is better to store them in other places like in a cool, dry, and dark place.