People are so accustomed to storing food in the refrigerator that they fail to consider what is truly worth storing there and what should be kept at room temperature. Even if the packaging says “store in a cool, dry place,” we put the item in the fridge.
Bell peppers
You don’t have to keep bell peppers in the fridge. They can easily be stored at room temperature in a kitchen drawer or paper bag. Besides, bell peppers lose their freshness and crispness in the fridge.
Sauces
Ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, sweet and sour, and spicy sauces can all easily get stored in a kitchen cabinet, even if they’ve been opened. There’s no point in keeping them on a shelf in the fridge. You may have noticed that sauces are often kept in stands on tables in cafés and restaurants.
Butter
We’re used to keeping butter in the fridge because it’s a dairy product, and dairy products spoil quickly at room temperature. Butter, on the other hand, is a slightly different story. Its main component (80%) is fat. Because of the high percentage of fat and low percentage of water, the product is unsuitable for bacterial growth. As a result, butter can be safely stored at room temperature for a few days.
Peanut butter and Nutella
Peanut butter doesn’t contain much water, so it can be stored in your pantry. It’s not necessary to refrigerate an opened jar of commercially manufactured peanut butter either. An opened jar of processed peanut butter will usually keep for about 3 months when stored in a dark cupboard at normal room temperature. You shouldn’t keep Nutella in the fridge either. It will become tough and difficult to use.
Peaches
When peaches are firm to the touch and lack their signature sweet fragrance, they need a few more days to ripen before they’re ready to eat. Until then, the best place to store them is on the counter at room temperature. Keep them unwashed and place them stem-side down. Ripe peaches are best when eaten right away, but if you have more than what you can eat in a single sitting, stash them in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days. The cool temperature slows down the ripening process and prevents the peaches from quickly spoiling.
Bread and other pastries
While many people refrigerate bread to keep it from going stale, doing so actually dries it out faster. Store bread in a dark cupboard or bread box at room temperature.
Unopened soda and soft drinks
Soft drinks, such as juices or cola, can be stored in both warm and cool temperatures. If there have been no sudden temperature changes and the packaging has not been damaged, juice that has been stored in the cabinet for several months is safe to consume.
Canned fish
Unopened cans do not need to be refrigerated; they will not become “fresher” as a result. They can sit on a store shelf for months without causing any problems. However, if you have opened the can, place the fish in a sealed glass container or plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator.
Basil
Trim the stems of basil and store them in a glass or jar of water, just like cut flowers. Cover it loosely with a plastic bag and set it on the counter. While some herbs, such as parsley and cilantro, can be stored in the refrigerator in this manner, basil does better at room temperature. Refrigeration can cause the leaves to turn black.
Pickles
Pickles have enough sodium — a natural preservative — to keep them safe for a long time. The only reason to refrigerate them is if you prefer to enjoy them cold.
Garlic
Light and moisture are garlic’s worst enemies as they both cause mold to grow. Instead, store garlic at room temperature in a dry, dark place that has plenty of air circulation, like in a wire-mesh basket or open paper bag in a cupboard or pantry. When stored in a cold environment, like the refrigerator, garlic will begin to sprout in no more than a few days. While sprouted garlic is still edible, it can sometimes be a little bitter-tasting.
