Refrigerators help food last longer, right? Most of the time, that’s true, but there are some exceptions. You might be surprised to learn that the following food items spoil faster inside a fridge rather than outside it!
Please note that in some climates or living situations, there might be reasons why you may choose to put these items in the fridge, despite it not being ideal- as always, you’ll have to follow your own intuition and experiences to make the best decision.
Bread
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Refrigerated bread definitely goes longer without growing mold. However, the cold, dry air inside a fridge makes it dry out and become stale faster. A better way to keep bread fresh is to store it in an airtight bag or container.
Bananas
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Putting bananas in the fridge makes them take longer to ripen. In the meantime, the peel can still blacken, making you think the inside has spoiled.
Avocados
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As with bananas, the cold slows down an avocado’s ripening time. It can also make the texture harder and tougher.
Tomatoes
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Tomatoes are another food that people frequently buy before it has fully ripened. The fridge slows that process down and can affect their taste and texture.
Fresh Herbs
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Many fresh herbs, with basil and cilantro being good examples, can quickly lose their flavor in cold temperatures. You’ll get better results by keeping them well-sealed on the counter. The pantry is another option, but you’ll be more likely to forget about them.
Broccoli
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Fresh broccoli will keep longer in the fridge, but the quality can suffer. It tends to quickly get soft, slimy, or mushy inside a fridge. Buy frozen if you need long-term storage.
Berries
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Cooler temperatures and moisture inside a fridge can actually cause fresh berries to go bad faster than they would at room temperature. If you can’t finish them, consider putting them in the freeze and enjoy a sweet, cold treat in the future.
Nut Butters
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These are better stored at room temperature in sealed containers. In the fridge, the cold temperatures damage the oils in these butters, causing them to lose their flavor.
Potatoes
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Potatoes will take longer to go bad if they’re refrigerated. However, the cold can degrade their quality and taste. Until they’re cut, they’ll be better if kept somewhere cool and dark like a pantry or a counter that doesn’t get direct sunlight.
Onions
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Like potatoes, onions can lose some of their flavor if stored in a refrigerator. Once you cut them, though, you definitely should keep them in a sealed container in the fridge.
Garlic
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Fresh garlic is another of the many foods that lasts longer in the fridge but loses some of its flavor. It’s also another that you do have to seal and refrigerate after cutting up since it will otherwise go bad really fast.
Apples
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Add apples to the list of foods that will keep longer in the fridge but will suffer in taste quality. Note that in most grocery stores’ produce sections, apples aren’t refrigerated.
12 Foods To NEVER Eat After They Expire (Throw Them Away Immediately)
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The “Sell by” date on food packaging tells how long the food can stay on shelves, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that’s when it expires. On the other hand, the “Best by” or “Use by” date is something to really pay attention to.
Some foods can be fine well past that date, but others don’t, and consuming them can lead to food poisoning, a trip to the hospital, or worse. Following are some foods you should never consume after they expire.
12 Foods To NEVER Eat After They Expire (Throw Them Away Immediately)
10 Beers Americans Can’t Stop Guzzling
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Each generation has its favorites when it comes to everything from apps to restaurants. They have clear preferences for certain beers as well. Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millenials each have favorite beers that are their go-to beverage for a night out.
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