14 Common Foods You Should NOT Refrigerate

Although it won’t harm your health to store these 15 foods in the fridge, it is best to keep them at room temperature. Storing these common food items in the fridge can ruin their flavor, change their texture, or make them go moldy very fast.

1.  Basil

If you keep fresh basil in the fridge it will wither faster and absorb the smells of other foods in your fridge. Better keep it out the fridge in a glass of fresh water. Or freeze them for later use.

2.  Onions

In the fridge, onions will turn soft and moldy. They are best kept in a dark, cool area that is well ventilated. Separated them from your potatoes to avoid onions to rot faster.

3.  Garlic

Just as onions, garlic is best kept in a dark, cool place. When stored in the fridge they lose their flavor, go moldy, or sprout.

4.  Potatoes

Potatoes are best kept in a paper bag in your pantry or root cellar to avoid them to rot fast. In the fridge the starch in your potatoes will turn to sugars more quickly.

5.  Winter Squash

If you leave your winter squashes – like butternut, spaghetti, or acorn squash – in your pantry they will last longer and taste better.

6.  Tomatoes

Tomatoes lose their flavor when stored in the fridge. They stop ripening and the cold temperature even change their texture. So best leave your tomatoes out of the fridge in a paper bag or basket.

7.  Bananas

Green bananas should be kept at room temperature for proper ripening. When dark spot start to appear you can store them in the fridge to preserve them longer. The skin will turn brown, but the banana inside will not turn mushy.

8.  Melon

For the best flavor, keep melons on the counter at room temperature. Once cut store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

9.  Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits – like lemons, limes, and organs – are best kept in a cool dark place at room temperature to increase their flavor. They will keep for about a week, after that best place them in your fridge to preserve them for longer periods.

10.  Apples

If you store apples in the fridge it will ruin their flavor and texture. Store on the counter for up to 2 weeks. If you want to preserve them longer, store in your fridge.

11.  Unripe fruits

Unripe fruits such as peaches, nectarines, apricots, avocados, or berries are best kept outside the fridge to ripen and increase their flavor. When ripe, eat them or store in the fridge to increase their longevity.

12.  Honey

Keeping honey in the fridge causes crystallization and hardening. Actually there is no need to keep your honey in the fridge. When properly sealed it will keep for ages at room temperature.

13.  Coffee

When you store coffee in the fridge or freezer it will lose most flavor and take over the odors from the foods in your fridge. Store in a dark, cool place to preserve its aroma and freshness.

14.  Bread

Don’t store bread in your fridge, it doesn't always keep longer, and will dry out. Keep at your countertop in a paper bag or freeze for later use.

~Thanks to Samantha Hemmingway