Did you know some foods simply should never go in the fridge?

CHOICE have done some digging and said that putting some foods in the fridge can actually do more harm than good, encouraging decay and even spoiling flavours in the food.

Foods that do not belong in the fridge include:

1. Tomatoes

According to CHOICE, research shows that chilling tomatoes below 12°C limits their ability to generate substances that contribute to aroma and taste.

“Tomatoes lose flavour when placed in the fridge,” says CHOICE’s home economist Fiona Mair. “I always keep my tomatoes in my fruit bowl or on the window sill.”

2. Coffee

Coffee actually absorbs moisture, odours and flavours from the air around it. Meaning it will end up tasting like rotten vegetables if you are not careful.

3. Uncut root vegetables

Root vegetables, such as potatoes, onions, sweet potato and garlic, thrive outside the fridge. The humidity in fridge crispers can cause root vegetables to rot faster.

“Keeping these types of food out of the refrigerator is generally to avoid moisture absorption that happens in the refrigerator, as this can cause foods to ferment and reduce the taste and quality,” says Fiona. “Best to find a cool dry dark spot in your kitchen.”

4. Oils and sauces

“Coconut oil is climate-dependant and will solidify at temperatures lower than 24°C, so it’s best to keep it in a cool, dark place like the pantry,” says Fiona.

But she says as a general guide, nut and seed oils are best kept in the refrigerator, otherwise they’re “more likely to oxidise and go rancid quickly”.

5. Bread

Bread should never go in the fridge – it’ll go stale much faster.

6. Honey and peanut butter

Honey is one of the few foods in the world that never spoils. Peanut butter is fine in the pantry for three months or so after opening although you can keep it in the fridge but it will be harder to spread.

7. Basil and parsley

“These herbs seem to do better out of the fridge,” said CHOICE. “The dry air in the refrigerator causes the leaves to wilt easily.”

8. Warm leftovers

You should always allow any leftovers to cool before popping them in the fridge.

For more about this, find all the details on CHOICE here.

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