20 Common Foods You're Probably Storing Wrong
Avoid waste and spoilage by making minor storage adjustments to keep food fresh and flavorful.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Opening the fridge to find spoiled food or stale bread is as frustrating as it gets. When incorrectly storing foods, it can spoil them faster, which can lead to to waste and unnecessary spending. Surprisingly, there are plenty of common produce that are stored in improper environments. This article will guide you through the proper storage of 20 common foods, so you can enjoy them longer.
1. Bread
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Often, we store bread inside the fridge. However, this dries it up quickly. It’s best to store bread in a bread box at room temperature.
2. Tomatoes
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Stop storing tomatoes inside the refrigerator. This will cause them to lose flavor and texture. Place them at room temperature and away from sunlight. You can only store tomatoes in the fridge if they’re ripe and you can’t eat them right away.
3. Potatoes
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Since potatoes are starchy, storing them in a relaxed environment can turn that starch into sugar. The proper way to store potatoes is in a dark and dry place, like inside a burlap bag.
4. Bananas
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If you store bananas in the fridge, they can quickly turn brown. Instead, store them on a counter until they’re ripe.
5. Onions
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Never store onions with other produce because they emit ethylene gas, which can cause other foods to ripen and spoil faster. Instead, store them in a dry place with enough ventilation to prevent moisture build-up and sprouting.
6. Avocados
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If your avocados are unripe, store them on a counter. Once ripe, place them in the fridge if you can’t consume them instantly.
7. Garlic
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Avoid storing garlic in the fridge, as this can soften it and make it sprout. Instead, keep it in a cool and dry area, such as a bowl or a basket.
8. Eggs
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We often keep eggs inside the fridge right at the door. However, temperatures fluctuate in that area, so storing eggs on the middle shelf is best.
9. Apples
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Storing it inside the fridge is best as soon as an apple ripens, especially in the crisper drawer. This helps keep the apple fresh and crisp.
10. Honey
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Never store honey in the refrigerator, as this can lead to crystallization. Only store honey in a tightly sealed container at room temperature.
11. Coffee Beans
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Keeping coffee beans in the fridge introduces them to moisture, making coffee taste stale. Store the beans in an airtight container and place it inside a cabinet.
12. Berries
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Store berries inside the fridge to keep them fresh. Wash them only when you’re going to consume them, as washing and storing them in the refrigerator can lead to mold.
13. Herbs
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Store herbs in a damp paper towel inside the fridge to keep them fresh. This helps keep your herbs fresh and ready for cooking.
14. Cheese
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Please avoid using plastic wrap when storing cheese, as it can trap moisture. Try using parchment paper or cheese wrapping paper to preserve flavor and texture.
15. Nuts
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To stop the oil inside the nuts from going rancid. Store them in a tight seal container and place them inside the refrigerator.
16. Carrots
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Before storing them in the crisper drawer in your fridge, roll your carrots in a damp paper towel. This will maintain their crunch and flavor.
17. Flour
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When storing flour, place it in an airtight container and keep it in a cool and dry spot. If you’re planning to store it for an extended period of time, place it in the freezer.
18. Milk
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Avoid storing milk in the refrigerator door. Please keep it on the middle shelf where temperatures are more stable. This helps prolong the freshness of the milk.
19. Cucumbers
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Do not place cucumbers with other produce inside the fridge, as this can make them soggy. It is best to store them on a counter at room temperature.
20. Peanut Butter
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You can leave most peanut butter on a kitchen counter at room temperature. However, for natural varieties of peanut butter, it’s best to keep them in the fridge to prevent the separation of peanut solids and oil.