During the summer, you might be tempted to chuck all your groceries into the fridge to keep them fresh.
But beware, experts warn that some common food items should never see the inside of your refrigerator.
The savvy team at consumer watchdog Which? has unveiled a list of five everyday foods that you should steer clear of refrigerating, with cucumbers topping the chart.
Fridges can wreak havoc on the texture and taste of certain foods, but thankfully, there are better places to store them.
The experts shared their expertise in a new video uploaded to their Instagram account, detailing all the surprising foods you should never store in the fridge.
Why exactly should cucumbers be banished from the chilly confines of your fridge? In an enlightening Instagram video, Which? UK’s gurus explained: “The cold conditions can cause the skin to shrivel up and the inside to become soft.”
To prevent your cucumbers from turning into a squishy mess, it’s best to stash them in the fruit cupboard or simply leave them out in a bowl on your kitchen counter, reports the Mirror.
Tomatoes suffer a similar fate to cucumbers when subjected to the fridge’s frosty environment, losing their texture and flavour. The solution is simple: just let them bask at room temperature.
Which? also dished out advice on onion storage in their video, noting: “Have you ever noticed your onions get soft and mouldy when you keep them in the fridge? That’s caused by the moisture in your fridge.”
The trick is to store them in a cool, dry place instead. However, if you’ve already chopped or sliced your onions, they’re fine to refrigerate as long as they’re in a sealed container.
Shifting the focus from fruits and veggies, bread is another staple you should avoid storing in the fridge. While many believe this prolongs its freshness, refrigeration can actually cause your loaf to dehydrate.
Dryness in bread can lead to a stale taste – certainly not desirable. It’s advisable to keep your loaves in a bread bin instead.
As for any spare slices, slice and store them in your freezer for future use. According to Which?, these slices can be “brought back to life” using a toaster or grill.
Finally, at all costs, keep bananas out of your fridge. Which? said: “Some fruit is fine to keep in the fridge, like small berries and citrus fruits. But don’t waste the space on keeping bananas in there.
“Bananas will turn black if you store them in the fridge. Instead, keep your bananas somewhere nice and cool. In a cupboard or in your usual fruit bowl.”
