To fridge or not to fridge: Where should you store your food to keep it fresher for longer?

We've all been there – throwing away sad, squishy apples, limp lettuce, and mouldy berries because of poor food storage…

It's easy to let food go bad in the fridge, but luckily, we’ve researched how to store food properly!

Proper food storage not only keeps you from wasting food but also lowers your grocery bill and reduces the chances of foodborne illness.



According to consumer experts, you've probably been storing your food incorrectly your whole life, which has cut the shelf life of your food significantly.

Reena Sewraz, one of the experts, said: 'The cost of living crisis is putting a lot of families under pressure, but many people aren't aware that simply storing your food differently can vastly extend its shelf life, saving you money in the process.

'In the case of apples, they could last up to almost three months longer if you keep them in the fridge, and simple changes like these can be really useful if you bulk buy or aren't planning to eat food straight away,' she added.

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You can save on grocery expenses through proper food storage. Credit: Science ABC.

Here are some more of their suggestions for storing food, which could come in handy after you return from your weekly grocery run:

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise has a small amount of vinegar in it, but not enough to keep the egg-based condiment outside of the fridge. Putting cutlery in the jar or bottle can cause bacteria to grow, but this will be less likely if you put it in the fridge.

Pesto

Pesto should always be kept in the fridge because the nuts can get mouldy and make mycotoxins, like aflatoxin, which are poisonous. This bacteria is dangerous and can do a lot of damage to the liver.



Tartar sauce

Tartar sauce, which is often served with fish and chips, should be kept in the fridge because it has egg in it, is not very acidic and has a lot of water, which makes it easy for bacteria to grow.

Maple syrup

Experts say that anything with more than 60% sugar will stay fresh longer because the sugar will keep microorganisms from breaking it down, but maple syrup falls just short of this level, so some moulds can grow on it. It needs to be kept in the fridge.


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Tomato ketchup can be kept in the fridge or in the cupboard. Credit: BBC.

Tomato ketchup

Because ketchup has a lot of vinegar, it can be kept in the fridge or on the cupboard, even after it has been opened. This is also true for barbeque sauce, but if you don't use it often, put it in the refrigerator.

Mustard

Whether or not you should put mustard in the fridge depends on what kind it is. American yellow mustard will be fine if stored in a cabinet, although French Dijon mustard can remain fresh for a year if kept in the refrigerator.



Horseradish

Keeping horseradish in the fridge is the best way to protect its flavour and colour by keeping it away from heat and light. Horseradish root, unwashed and sealed in a plastic bag, can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three months.

Jam

Jams can be kept in the cupboard after they have been opened, even though most labels say to put them in the fridge. But experts say that they will last much longer if they are kept cold, so the best place to keep them is in the refrigerator.

Chutney

Because it typically contains both sugar and vinegar, chutney has a long shelf life. Even if it changes in texture, colour, or taste, it will still be safe to eat if it is kept in the fridge and the jar is not broken.

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Mushrooms have a lot of water in them, so it's important to keep them in a paper bag in the fridge. Credit: BBC Good Food.

Mushrooms

Because mushrooms contain a lot of water, it is important to store them in the refrigerator inside a paper bag. The paper bag will allow them to breathe as the moisture evaporates, preventing them from becoming slimy.

Lettuce

The easiest way to keep lettuce crisp for as long as possible is to mimic the procedure typically used in restaurants, which involves washing, spinning dry, and then storing the lettuce in a perforated container, such as a colander, in the refrigerator.



Apples

Researchers at the food waste charity Wrap found that apples will last between 69 and 77 days longer if they are kept in the fridge. Therefore, to get the most bang for one's buck, it is recommended that customers purchase a large bag of apples and then keep them in the refrigerator.

Potatoes

It's been estimated that refrigerated potatoes have a shelf life of around 90 days. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) just updated its rules to say that storing food in the fridge is fine.

This comes after a study that confirmed that storing potatoes at home in the refrigerator doesn't significantly increase the amount of cold sweetening—the formation of sugars—when compared to storing them in a cool, dark environment.

The FSA had said before that putting potatoes in the fridge could increase the amount of acrylamide, a naturally occurring chemical that can cause cancer, especially if the potatoes are then cooked at very high temperatures. But this is no longer the case.

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Not every food should be stored in the fridge. Credit: Food Network.

On the other hand, some foods should NEVER be refrigerated unless you want them to spoil prematurely. Some of them are as follows:

Bread

If you leave bread in the fridge, it will lose water, and the cool, dry air will make it stale. Instead, you should store it in a bread bin.

However, once it has become stale, you can crumble it up and use it to make croutons, bread and butter pudding, or breadcrumbs. Experts say it's fine to freeze a loaf or a few slices, and they can be toasted straight from the freezer.

Cucumbers

It's common practice for people to store their cucumbers in the refrigerator, but doing so can cause the skin to dry up and the flesh on the inside to turn mushy. Because of this, the safest place to keep them is either within a cabinet or in a bowl that is set out on the counter.

Tomatoes

Even though a ripe tomato can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks without spoiling, the low temperatures can cause textural changes and prevent the enzymes that contribute to the tomato's flavour from working. For the best results, store them in a fruit bowl.



Stoned fruits

Cherries, plums, and other stone fruits like peaches benefit greatly from being stored at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator while they ripen. But many people like to eat these when they are cold and refreshing, so they are willing to compromise.

If the fruit is overripe but mould-free, it can be used as a crumble topping or on top of oatmeal.

Bananas

When storing unripe bananas in the refrigerator, they will have a much harder time turning yellow than if they were allowed to ripen on the counter first.

Cakes

If you put cakes or other baked products in the refrigerator, they will grow stale much quicker than if they were left at room temperature instead. Also, experts say that you shouldn't throw away leftover or stale cake because you can turn it into brownies.

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Unripe bananas should be left in the open, while yellow ones can go in the fridge. Credit: Healthshots.

Peanut butter

Peanut butter can last for months without being kept in the fridge because it has a lot of fat and not much water. This makes it hard for bacteria to grow. You just have to make sure the jar is tightly sealed.

Butter

Butter can spoil if it is exposed to oxygen, light, and heat. While it will keep longer in the fridge, it can also be kept on the kitchen counter in a dish with a lid because the high-fat content makes it difficult for germs to thrive there. Of course, this depends on the weather – unless you like melted butter!

Eggs

You can store eggs in the freezer for up to six months if you crack and beat them first. Do not freeze them while still inside their shells because this will cause them to explode!



Chocolate spread

Chocolate spreads such as Nutella can be stored at room temperature, which allows it to maintain its fluid consistency and also makes it easier to spread. If refrigerated, it will harden and lose its spreadability; if it’s then brought back to room temperature, it may spoil.

Honey

If you store honey in the fridge, it will solidify into an amber-like consistency and become tough to remove from the bottle. Honey keeps well in cupboards.

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Onions and garlic turn to mush in the fridge, so store them in a cool, dark environment with lots of air circulation. Credit: Veg Kitchen.

Onions and garlic

Because onions and garlic can turn into mush if stored in the refrigerator, it is best to keep them in a cool, dark room with plenty of air circulation. Chopping them up and putting them in the freezer is another way to keep them from going to waste.

Wine and Champagne

Storing wine or champagne in the refrigerator for an extended period might harm the flavour and quality of the wine. It is recommended that you put these beverages away in a cupboard instead. However, if the bottle has been opened, storing it in the refrigerator can extend its shelf life.

We hope these food storage tips will help you, members! If you have more to share with us, feel free to leave a comment below.
 
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