Many people tend to store all kinds of food in the refrigerator, including leftovers. However, experts warn that there are 5 common types of food that should not be kept in the fridge, as it may ruin them.
According to a report by the Spanish newspaper “La Vanguardia”, Amparo Gamero, a food technology expert at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Spain, mentioned that certain foods should not be stored in the refrigerator’s cold storage room, as it can alter their texture and taste, leading to quicker spoilage. Here are the 5 types of food she listed:
The low temperature of the fridge can alter the fat emulsifiers in chocolate, affecting its smoothness and dairy taste. Sudden temperature changes can also affect the texture of chocolate. Storing chocolate in the fridge can cause it to turn white, with a slight gritty and earthy texture when consumed.
Gamero suggests storing chocolate in a cool place between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, away from direct sunlight, and in its original packaging or a sealed container to prevent odor and contamination.
Putting bread in the fridge may not necessarily extend its shelf life, but it could lead to changes in its texture or taste.
For example, storing sliced bread in the fridge could have a counterproductive effect, as it increases humidity, thereby raising the risk of mold growth.
She advises storing bread at room temperature, either in a paper bag or wrapped in a clean kitchen towel. Alternatively, you can freeze bread to help maintain its freshness longer.
Placing coffee beans or ground coffee in the fridge can cause them to absorb moisture and lose their aroma and flavor. The best storage place for coffee is in a sealed container in a cool, dry area.
Avoid refrigerating garlic bulbs or cloves, as they may sprout after a few days. Sprouted garlic tends to have a stronger bitter taste.
Gamero states that a storage room around 15 degrees Celsius is typically a good place to store garlic, but it should be kept away from potatoes, as garlic and onions release gases that accelerate potato sprouting.
To preserve garlic for an extended period, you can coat peeled garlic cloves with olive oil and store them in a sealed glass container. Garlic can also be frozen, whole or chopped.
Bananas sold in stores may sometimes be green. Placing bananas in the fridge too early can make them firm and flavorless, as the refrigerator slows down their ripening process. Additionally, the peel of these bananas will eventually turn brown, although the flesh inside remains edible, it may not look appealing.
Gamero recommends storing bananas in a cool environment to enjoy them at their optimal ripeness, but avoid placing them in a cold setting.
She advises, “It is important to avoid placing them near apples in a fruit bowl, as apples release more ethylene gas as they ripen, which can quickly accelerate the ripening of bananas.”
Furthermore, Gamero also provides some tips for storing food items that should be refrigerated.
She suggests that to prevent cross-contamination, raw and cooked food should be stored in different locations in the fridge. Cooked food needs a slightly warmer temperature and can be placed on the upper shelves, while beverages, sauces, or jams can be stored in the fridge door.
On the other hand, fresh products like meat or fish are best placed on the bottom shelf. Fruits and vegetables can be kept in the lower drawers to avoid direct freezing. Of course, thorough cleaning of the refrigerator once a month to maintain cleanliness is also essential.