Five Foods "That Fear the Refrigerator"
Office workers are used to a big shopping trip on the weekend, putting all the food they buy into the refrigerator. In reality, the refrigerator is not a safe for food; it cannot keep all food fresh, and some foods are not suitable for being refrigerated.
Tropical Fruits Are Sensitive to Low Temperatures
Among fruits, tropical and subtropical fruits have poor adaptability to low temperatures. If refrigerated, they can actually be "chilled," causing their skins to pucker and develop dark brown spots. This not only results in a loss of nutrients but also makes them spoil more easily.
Although most fresh melons and fruits can be stored for 1-2 days at 0-4°C, not all fruits are suitable for this—
● Bananas should be stored above 12°C;
● Citrus fruits at 2-7°C;
● For fruits like grapes and persimmons, low temperatures not only diminish their aroma but also cause their skins to deteriorate;
● For fruits like strawberries, waxberries, and mulberries, it's best to eat them as soon as you buy them. Putting them in the refrigerator affects their taste and makes them prone to mold.
Leafy Vegetables Lose Water Easily, Tomatoes Become Mushy
● Leafy vegetables have a high rate of water evaporation, so it's best to buy and eat them fresh.
● Thick-skinned vegetables like potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, winter melons, and onions can be stored at room temperature.
● When refrigerated at low temperatures, tomatoes will become locally or completely waterlogged and soft, with brown circular spots appearing on the surface, and their fresh flavor will fade.
● Cucumbers and bell peppers left in the refrigerator for a long time will turn black, soft, and lose their flavor. They may also grow mold or become sticky, and are not suitable for long-term storage in the fridge.
Steamed Buns Become Dry and Hard
● Starchy foods like steamed buns, flower rolls, and bread will dry out and harden faster in the refrigerator. If you need to store them, wrap them in a plastic bag and place them in the freezer.
● Foods like biscuits, candy, honey, pickles, soybean paste, preserved fruits, and dried goods do not need to be refrigerated.
Chocolate Spoils Easily
● Storing chocolate in the refrigerator can cause a white film to appear on its surface, leading to mold and spoilage, and loss of its original flavor.
● In the summer when room temperature is too high, you can first seal it in a plastic bag and then store it in the refrigerator's chill compartment.
Fish and Meat Are Prone to Oxidation
● Although fish and meat need to be refrigerated or frozen, the storage time should not be too long.
● If you notice the meat has turned yellow from being frozen, it means the fat has been oxidized, and it must be discarded.
In conclusion, always carefully check the storage instructions on the packaging of the food you buy. Only by using the refrigerator properly can you eat fresh and healthy food.