Putting food in the refrigerator can keep it fresh and extend its shelf life. The advent of the refrigerator has solved the convenience of food storage in daily life. However, not every type of food should be put in the refrigerator. The following foods are best not stored in the refrigerator.
To maintain the freshness of food, people often choose the refrigerator for storage. But some foods, due to their special nature, are not suitable for refrigeration.
10 foods that should not be put in the refrigerator
1. Onion
The humid environment of the refrigerator will cause the onion to lose its pungent taste and speed up its decay. It is best to store onions in a fresh and dry environment and avoid storing them with potatoes.
2. Coffee Beans
A common misconception is that storing coffee beans in the refrigerator is better, but coffee beans stored in the refrigerator quickly lose their original flavor. It is best to store most of the coffee beans in the freezer, and take out a portion for daily use and store it in a fresh, light-proof place.
3. Olive Oil
It is not a good idea to put olive oil in the refrigerator, as the liquid will gradually solidify and form waxy crystals.
4. Basil
Basil is a very delicate plant that the refrigerator can damage instantly, not to mention its ability to absorb odors from other foods in the refrigerator. It is best to store basil in a cup of water outside the refrigerator.
5. Honey
To maintain the nutritional value of honey, storing it sealed at room temperature is sufficient. Like olive oil, honey will also crystallize when stored in the refrigerator.
6. Garlic
Like onions, garlic should not be stored in the refrigerator, otherwise it will start to sprout and spoil quickly.
7. Bread
Few people think of storing bread in the refrigerator, right? In any case, this storage method is not advisable. The cold environment of the refrigerator will make sliced bread dry out. Therefore, sliced bread should be stored in a fresh, ventilated place to make it last longer (but this will make the bread lose its soft texture).
8. Avocado
If you love avocados, you should not put them in the refrigerator, as this will accelerate their ripening.
9. Potato
Like bread, few people think of storing potatoes in the refrigerator. This storage method will make the potatoes grainy and accelerate the conversion of internal starch into sugar.
10. Tomato
If fresh tomatoes are stored in the refrigerator, they will lose their original flavor and become mealy.
There are some taboos for storing and freezing food:
1. Hot food must never be placed in a running refrigerator.
2. Food should not be stored too full or too tightly; leave space for cold air circulation to reduce the load on the unit, extend its service life, and save electricity.
3. Raw and cooked foods should not be mixed together to maintain hygiene. Reasonably use the space inside the refrigerator according to the storage time and temperature requirements of the food.
4. Do not place food directly on the surface of the evaporator; put it in a container to avoid freezing on the evaporator, making it difficult to remove.
5. Fresh fish, meat and other foods should not be put into the refrigerator without being processed. Fresh fish and meat should be sealed in plastic bags and stored in the freezer. Vegetables and fruits should have their surface moisture wiped dry, placed in the bottom of the refrigerator, and stored at a temperature above freezing.
6. Bottled liquid beverages should not be placed in the freezer to avoid bursting the packaging bottles. They should be placed in the refrigerated compartment or on the door shelf, with a storage temperature of about 4°C being best.
7. The refrigerator used for storing food should not also be used for storing chemicals.
8. Sealed and vacuum-packed Chinese herbal decoctions are best stored in the refrigerator's fresh food compartment at a temperature of 0°C-5°C, with a storage time of 7-14 days, and preferably not exceeding 7 days.