10 Things That Should Never Go In The Fridge
Believe it or not, you could be putting grocery items in your fridge incorrectly. All foods have unique molecular compositions. Some are full of starch and others gluten, and each food reacts differently to its environment. And while we see our refrigerator as a cold preservation box, it wasn't designed to keep every food item fresh.[slideshow:902350]
Bread
Because of bread's unique molecular composition of starch and gluten, putting bread in the fridge will cause it to get stale six times faster. When bread bakes, its chemical composition automatically begins changing, the heat allowing the molecules in the dough to expand and form fluffy bread. As soon as it begins the cooling process, these molecules begin crystallizing and slowly revert back to a hardened state. Putting it in the fridge accelerates this process and makes it dry out.
Tomatoes
It may seem strange, but tomatoes belong on your countertop to be enjoyed at peak ripeness. Because they are such delicate fruits, their thin cell wall membranes get damaged at the cold temperature and affect taste.
Avocados
This is half true. If you are waiting for them to ripen, putting avocados in the refrigerator will slow that process. Once they are cut open, keep them in the fridge to delay over ripening.
Potatoes
Keeping potatoes in the fridge will not only cause them to sprout, it will cause them to convert their starch to sugar, altering their flavor and shelf life.
Onions
Due to their thin skin, onions do not have a lot of protection against the elements. The moisture from the cold in the refrigerator will make onions mushy and grow mold.
Hot Sauce
Your hot sauce can live in your pantry for up to three years! Plus, it tastes better at room temperature, since the cold dulls the zesty zing of hot sauce.
Garlic
In the fridge, garlic will begin to sprout. It can become rubbery and doesn't retain that potent flavor. Store it a dry place so it lasts longer.
Garlic
In the fridge, garlic will begin to sprout. It can become rubbery and doesn't retain that potent flavor. Store it a dry place so it lasts longer.
Honey
Your honey will stay sweet if you keep it in your cabinets in a closed container. Moisture in the refrigerator will cause the quality to change in your honey and crystallization will eventually render the honey un-squeezable.
Honey
Your honey will stay sweet if you keep it in your cabinets in a closed container. Moisture in the refrigerator will cause the quality to change in your honey and crystallization will eventually render the honey un-squeezable.
Coffee
If you want your coffee to actually wake you up in the morning, keep it out of the fridge! Excessive heat, light, air, and most importantly, moisture, will cause the coffee to deteriorate. The National Coffee Association recommends that coffee drinkers invest in an airtight canister to keep their grounds fresh.
Coffee
If you want your coffee to actually wake you up in the morning, keep it out of the fridge! Excessive heat, light, air, and most importantly, moisture, will cause the coffee to deteriorate. The National Coffee Association recommends that coffee drinkers invest in an airtight canister to keep their grounds fresh.
Basil
In the fridge, basil leaves will turn super black and slimy. To keep them fresh for up to a week or more, trim the stems and place in a mason jar full of water with a plastic bag over the leaves.
Basil
In the fridge, basil leaves will turn super black and slimy. To keep them fresh for up to a week or more, trim the stems and place in a mason jar full of water with a plastic bag over the leaves.