Chilling truths: The common fridge mistakes affecting your produce

Onions, tomatoes, carrots... these are just a few of the many fruits and vegetables that we store in the refrigerator out of habit. After returning from shopping, we toss them into the fridge without thinking, mistakenly believing that the low temperature will help them maintain freshness for longer. Unfortunately, not all products cope well with the conditions in the fridge.

Generally speaking, the refrigerator is not the right place for exotic fruits, legumes, preserves (of course, before they are opened), as well as olive oil, bread, or coffee and tea. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, kiwi can be stored in the fridge, and flaxseed oil, even though it is kept on a fridge shelf, will not lose its properties. In fact, storing it in the cold will extend its lifespan. Let's delve into what you should know about storing fruits and vegetables.

In potatoes stored in the fridge, starch can convert into sugar, which in turn affects their taste and texture. To avoid this unwanted effect, potatoes should be kept in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight.

Similarly, onions can also change under the influence of low temperatures. In the case of onions, the low temperature can cause the vegetable to become soft and spoil faster. Onions are best kept in a dry, dark place, like a pantry.

Garlic can lose its properties under the influence of low temperatures. Storing garlic in the fridge can make it moist, lose flavor, and start sprouting. Therefore, garlic should be stored in a pantry or another shaded spot.

Tomatoes are another product that can lose its properties under the influence of low temperatures. The low temperature can cause them to lose their taste and consistency, so they should be kept at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

Basil, like other herbs, may lose its aroma and start to absorb the smells of other products stored in the fridge. Therefore, it is best to keep it outside in a container with cold water. Eggplant may become soft and lose its taste and consistency under the influence of low temperatures so it should be kept at room temperature. Similarly, squash and zucchini, as well as carrots and bell peppers.

Bananas should not be stored in the fridge, especially if they are still unripe. However, once a banana reaches the right degree of ripeness, it's advisable to move it to the fridge to slow down the further ripening process. Remember, bananas produce ethylene, a gas that accelerates ripening and therefore can speed up the spoilage of other vegetables and fruits stored nearby. To minimize ethylene emission and delay the ripening process of bananas, wrapping them in plastic wrap is beneficial.

Avocados, although they ripen at room temperature, can be stored in the fridge once they reach the desired degree of ripeness. Pineapples can be kept in the fridge, but it's not necessary. However, it's worth noting that the fridge temperature can affect the taste and consistency of the pineapple.

Mangoes are another fruit that should be kept at room temperature to achieve the right degree of ripeness. Peaches and nectarines, although they can be stored in the fridge, are better kept at room temperature so they don't lose their flavor and aroma.