The 15 foods that should not be in the fridge

The arrival of the refrigerator in our homes has revolutionized the way we preserve food. We see this appliance as the ideal ally for the preservation of our food. We know that many of them such as yogurts, juices, fish, meats or soups would not last even 24 hours out of the fridge. Others hold out of the fridge quite a bit but inside they do it much more. And finally there are those that shouldn't go in the fridge.

There are foods that are not convenient for the cold in the refrigerator, because they spoil or lose the flavor, taste or texture they have. It is necessary to know what are the foods that should not be in the refrigerator and then we have them.

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Top 15 foods that need to be out of the fridge

That everyday act of opening your door and putting the food inside just when you return from shopping is not always synonymous with good conservation. Not in all cases it is a better option, becoming counterproductive. Some foods lose some of their characteristics if we put them in the fridge.

Below we see the list of foods that we should keep away from our conservation appliance par excellence.

1. Chocolate

We have all seen that after a while of having chocolate in the fridge, a whitish layer appears on it. When this happens, the taste is not the same and the pleasant experience of eating it is not the same.

Chocolate is perfectly preserved out of the fridge, in a cool and tightly closed place. Its texture is also better and its flavors and aromas are preserved, since in the fridge it can absorb unwanted odors. Only if it is very hot outside or if it has dairy fillings is it worth keeping it there, especially if we have already opened the package.

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2. Ground or whole coffee

If we put the coffee in the refrigerator it can pick up odors from the food that is there, losing its characteristic flavor. The best way to preserve its freshness, flavor and aromas is to find a cool place for it and that is covered from exposure to light.

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3. Honey

Honey has a very high concentration of sugars, which prevents microbial activity. It can be perfectly preserved for a long time at room temperature if it is well closed in a closet. It could be in the fridge but the sugars crystallize and then the texture is not so good.

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4. Iberian Ham

Ham is a meat but it can be kept well outside. This is due to its production process, as there is a lot of salt and less water than in other meats. Similar to the case of honey then, microbes have a very difficult time growing there.

On the other hand, if we refrigerate it, it loses its original flavor of its fats. It is better to keep it at room temperature and ready to eat when we want it, or we can keep it in the fridge but we will take it out at least 10 minutes before consuming to enjoy it.

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5. Stone fruits or pips

Generally the fruit does not ripen well in the cold and then it does not taste so good. Allow peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, apples, and pears to ripen at room temperature. Once they're ripe and ready to eat, you can keep them in the fridge for up to three days.

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6. Watermelon and melon

Watermelon and cantaloupe and molasses are packed with antioxidants like vitamin C, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and beta-carotene, which neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. To preserve these health-protecting nutrients, avoid cutting the fruit and storing it in the fridge., it is preferable to keep it whole and out of the fridge. Cold air will ruin your delicate antioxidants.

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7. Pineapple, mango, papaya and other tropical fruits.

If we have seen fruits that are susceptible to getting worse in the cold, tropical fruits are the ones that accuse it the most.. Fruits such as pineapple, mango or papaya should avoid spending their ripening period there, as the flavor and aroma are quite altered. Once ripe, they can be kept in the fridge for a couple of days.

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8. Banana

The banana is also a tropical fruit and the idea is the same. Once ripe, it can be put in the fridge. The banana peel may be blacker but the inside will taste good.

On the other hand, we should not keep the banana in an unventilated place with other fruit, as it will ripen more quickly. We will only do it if we really want to eat that other fruit and we want it to accelerate its ripening process

9. Avocado

Avocado is actually also technically a tropical fruit, although we often do not conceive it within the category of fruits. It is high in fat as opposed to most fruits, but it should still ripen out of the fridge until ripe.

When fully ripe, it can be stored in the refrigerator to last a little longer. Avocado is a bit delicate, don't expect too much to eat it.

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10. Basil and parsley

Basil wilts quickly in the fridge. The best way to keep it for a few days is in a glass of water out of the fridge. Now, if we need to keep it for a longer time then it is best to boil it and keep it in bags in the freezer

11. Citrus

Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits are best kept outside, as in a basket on the counter. If you cannot eat that fruit in a few weeks, it is best to leave it in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place until you are ready to eat it.

12. Potatoes

Potatoes should be kept in a cool, dry place. Even so, the temperature of the refrigerator is too low and favors the growth of germs that increase solanine. This is a toxic component that also grows if the potatoes are touched by light. It can be detected by a greenish patch on your skin.

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13. Garlic and onions

Like potatoes, it is best for garlic and onions to be stored in a cool, dry place. But beware! If potatoes and onions are kept together, they rot before, because together they interact with the gases they emit and spoil.

On the other hand, if garlic and onions are stored in the refrigerator they become soft and can even acquire mold. Chives and chives can go because of their high water content.

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14. Bread

There are people who think that storing bread in the fridge is a good idea. It could be if it were a sandwich with a juicy filling that can go bad. But the truth is that bread only in the fridge becomes stale faster than if it is out.

15. Tomatoes

The cold breaks the inner membranes of tomatoes, making them more mealy. To eat tomatoes with an ideal texture and flavor, leave them out of the fridge in a basket or a trolley.

Bibliographic references

• Alais, C and Linden, G. (1990). Biochemistry of food. Barcelona: Masson, S. TO.

• Bello Gutiérrez, J. (2000). Bromatological science. General principles of food. Madrid: Díaz de Santos.

• Fennema, O. (2000). Food chemistry. Zaragoza: Acribia.