5 Items To Keep Out of the Refrigerator

Stop! Don't put that onion in the fridge!

When it comes to food storage, there are many conventions that some people swear by and certain things that you should always do. But are you unnecessarily refrigerating certain foods? Here are the top five items to make sure your shoppers keep out of the refrigerator.

Storing these foods in the fridge when you shouldn't can prematurely age, or alter their flavor, or make them go moldy faster.  Chances are, you've mistakenly been storing some of these foods in your fridge, when you should really being keeping them out on your counter or in your pantry.

Here's the list:

Tomatoes
They will lose all of their flavor in the fridge. The cold air in the fridge stops the ripening, and ripening is what gives tomatoes more flavor. The fridge will also alter the texture of the tomato, turning it mealy. Keep tomatoes out in a bowl or basket on the counter.

Potatoes
Keeping a potato in the cold temperature of your refrigerator will turn its starch into sugar faster. Instead of putting potatoes in the fridge, store them in a paper bag in a cool - not cold - place. Store them in a dark place, i.e. inside the pantry. Paper bags work better than plastic because they're more breathable and the potato won't rot as fast.

Onions
If you put onions in the fridge, the moisture will eventually turn them soft and moldy. Keep them in a cool, dry place. Just keep your onions separate from your potatoes; when stored together, both deteriorate faster.

Coffee
If you leave coffee in the refrigerator, it will lose its flavor and actually take on some of the odors in the fridge. You should store coffee in a cool, dark place, where it will retain its flavor and freshness.

Honey  
There's no need to store honey in the fridge - it will stay fresh if you keep it tightly sealed. Keeping honey in the refrigerator can cause it to crystalize.

For more visit the FDA’s Are You Storing Your Food Safely?