ALWAYS Store These 10 Foods in the Dark

Some food can lose its luster when left in the light, while others can become dangerous to eat if exposed. Here are ten foods you should always leave in a dark place.

Onions

Onions can sprout and become bitter when left in the light. Since onions are a major part of many recipes, you don’t want them to go bad constantly. You also want to store them in a well-ventilated area to prevent mold growth.

Spices

Spices (yes, basically all of them) can lose their potency if exposed to light. Many home cooks will leave theirs out on a spice rack for convenience. But realistically, you’ll get more bang per tablespoon if you keep them in a cupboard or the pantry. You’ll still have a good flavor and aroma—even though it might mean digging them out whenever you need to make something.

Chocolate

Do you want to enjoy your chocolate to the fullest? Then let there be darkness! It doesn’t matter if it’s dark or milk chocolate, either; all chocolate will keep better when stored in a cool, dark space. Too much light exposure can also create heat, causing the chocolate to bloom.

Wine

Wine can be expensive, so it’s essential to store it properly! Too much light will impact the wine’s taste and cause it to mature too quickly. You’d ideally store your wine in a cellar or wine cooler, but a dark cupboard can do just fine.

Garlic

Garlic is in the allium family, meaning you should treat it just like onions lest you get the same results. You can store it with your onions for that reason or in a separate bag, as long as it’s not in the line of fire of the sun’s rays.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is another ingredient that makes sense to have out and on hand. But much like with spices, olive oil can lose its delightful flavor. You’ll have to use more olive oil to get any notable taste across. That makes keeping it in the dark much more important if you have costly dressing olive oils so they can retain their fruitier notes.

Potatoes

Potatoes can grow green spots when exposed to light. The green results from chlorophyll, a normal thing to find in a plant. But the problem comes from the byproduct, solanine. This toxin can make you seriously sick, so keeping your potatoes in a brown paper bag and stored in a cool, dry place is best.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds can turn rancid if exposed to too much light. Sunlight can cause them to oxidize and leech out oils, leaving an unpleasant taste and smell. Keeping nuts and seeds in the dark is highly recommended because they can be expensive!

Coffee

Your morning cup of joe is extremely sensitive to light. If you want yours to stay bold and full-flavored, keep it clear of sunlight and store it in a cool, dark place. You should store it in an airtight container to prevent it from getting too stale.

Honey

Honey tends to crystallize if exposed to too much light or heat. It’s still safe if this happens, but it makes it much less convenient to use. Part of honey’s appeal is how easy it is to drizzle into some tea or over a cup of yogurt. That becomes nearly impossible if it heats up too much, so store your honey where light can’t get to it.

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