Did you know that every year, the United States throws away nearly 40 percent of its food? That adds up to more than $160 billion wasted per year!
There's nothing worse than being forced to toss perfectly good produce, dairy, or meat just because it was stored in an improper way. With a fridge, it’s possible to preserve the nutrients and ensure that foods don’t go bad. While there are certain items that do not require refrigeration, there are others that need to be refrigerated at all times. This is to ensure that they live their longest and best tasting life. And in today’s post, we will tell you foods that you should always keep refrigerated. From eggs, oranges, tortillas, and maple syrup to soy sauce and more, read till the end to learn about all of them.
#1 Tomato Ketchup: For as long as tomato ketchup has existed, families have argued over whether or not the sacred sauce should be kept in the fridge or the cupboard. Fortunately, as with all ketchup-based problems, the good people at a very famous ketchup company have the answer. According to them, while tomato ketchup's natural acidity means it's safe to keep in the cupboard, you should store it in the fridge as soon as you've opened the bottle if you want to maintain the best product quality. What are your favourite food items to pair with tomato ketchup? Not just regular fries, but are there any unusual ones that you think go well with ketchup?
We would love to know down below in the comments section!
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#2 Eggs: In the supermarket, eggs are kept on the shelf. But in your fridge, there's almost certainly an egg tray. So, what does that mean? Well, you should certainly be keeping your eggs in the fridge. They should be stored at a constant temperature below negative 4 Fahrenheit. Interestingly, you should also avoid any sudden temperature changes that may damage the eggs. Make sure to take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking for the best taste.
Must Read: What will happen by eating one egg daily?
#3 Butter: Now, there's no denying that the softer butter is, the easier it is to spread. But is that enough reason to keep it out of the fridge? Apparently not. It should be kept in the fridge and nowhere else, as otherwise, it'll go off within a few days. While it may still be safe to eat, it's unlikely to taste as good as date butter. So, either keep your block in the fridge or take a slice off and only warm up as much as you need each day or two.
#4 Apples: There are few things in life greater than the first bite of a crunchy apple. So, if you want to keep your Granny Smith, your Pink Lady, or, indeed, your Golden Delicious in tip-top condition, your best course of action is to keep them in the fridge. Apples hold their moisture best when kept in a cold, dark environment. And you're most likely to keep them fresher for longer if you leave them in the bag they came in as long as it has a couple of holes in it.
#5 Oranges: Unlike most other fruits, oranges are usually perfectly ripe when you buy them. While this is great news if you're looking to chow down on some citrus immediately, it's not so good for the shelf life of your oranges. Although they are a well-known source of vitamin C, once ripened, the level of this essential compound starts to decrease. Popping them in the fridge will slow this process, and in turn keep them fresher, juicier, and healthier for longer.
#6 Green Pepper: Peppers are a great way to add colour and flavour to any dish. To ensure these colourful comrades don't lose any of their magic, keep them in the fridge. If they come in a plastic bag, don't discard them as this will help regulate their moisture levels. This, in turn, keeps them fresh for as long as possible. And, as with so many fruits and vegetables, you should keep your peppers in the salad drawer at the bottom of your fridge. This is because it helps maintain the correct moisture level for your greens.
#7 Cheese: Parmesan cheese can last for a long time if stored properly, due to its low water content and texture. The cheese should be kept in the fridge, never the freezer, in a glass or plastic container to maintain the flavor. Otherwise, it may dry out and absorb the smell of other foods in the fridge. Soft cheeses such as cottage, cream, ricotta, and mozzarella should also be kept in the fridge. They are so sensitive to warm temperatures that if they are left out at room temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above for more than two hours, they must be discarded.
#8 Berries: Berries need to be handled with care. Store them in the fridge in a shallow container to allow air circulation and to prevent the bottom ones from getting crushed. Don’t wash them beforehand. Put them in a moist area in the fridge, such as the vegetable keeper, in order to extend the shelf life. Blueberries are fine in these conditions for up to five days while blackberries and raspberries are good for up to two days.
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#9 Peanut Butter: Peanut butter products should be kept in a dry and cool place, away from strong light and heat. And even far from appliances, as some can produce heat. An unopened jar does not have to be refrigerated. However, once you open it, keeping it in the fridge will ensure it stays fresh for up to nine months. Otherwise, its shelf life will be no more than three months.
#10 Dates: Often used to make energy balls, this decadent dried fruit is best when kept in the refrigerator. This is because dates are not dehydrated to the extent that other dried fruits like cranberries and apricots are. They have a bit more moisture and require to be stored in a cool environment to preserve their flavor. It will not harm you to eat it at room temperature. But their shelf life is 45 days and they will progressively become drier and lose their distinctive flavor.
#11 Maple Syrup: You better make room in the refrigerator for that bottle or jug of maple syrup you just cracked open. The kitchen cabinet is no longer its place of residence. Unlike honey, maple syrup can grow clumps of mold if left at room temperature upon opening. Pure maple syrup does not include any preservatives, which unfortunately makes it more prone to mold infestation. Seal that jar up and toss it in the icebox for it to last for a longer time.
#12 Nuts: The healthy fats in nuts, known as unsaturated fats, can go rancid if left too long at room temperature. You will know it has gone bad when it goes from being crunchy and abundant in flavor to being chewy and having a paint-like smell. Even worse, it will lose all of its health benefits, one of which is to lower the bad cholesterol and raise the good kind. But it will remain nutrient dense and edible 6 months past its best-by date if stored in the refrigerator.
#13 Tortillas: Whether it's white or whole wheat flour, toss those tortillas in the refrigerator even if the expiration date is not for another week. Why? Because they can last up to twice as long if you stow them away in a cool place. Grocery stores will keep packaged tortillas with other yogurt and packaged cheeses because the cool temperature actually doubles their shelf life. If you buy a chilled package, make sure to also refrigerate them at home so icky mold doesn't make a home out of your tortillas.
#14 Bananas: Unripe bananas are best kept out of the refrigerator because the cold will actually inhibit them from ripening. But when they are ripe and ready to be eaten, but you aren't ready to eat them, plop them in the fridge in order to prevent spoilage. You may notice that the peel will get darker and maybe even black. Don't let that scare you off from reaping the benefits of a ripe banana, because it's most nutritious when it's ripe. Are you in the habit of eating bananas and throwing the peel away? If so, stop right now because there are a number of ways you can use them. To know what we are talking about, watch this video titled “13 Surprising Ways To Use Banana Peels For Everyday Life” Now back to foods that should always be refrigerated.
#15 Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is another condiment that technically doesn't need to be kept cool. Due to its high sodium content, it won't spoil at room temperature. However, if you want to keep it tasting its best, you should know that unrefrigerated soy sauce will begin to lose its flavor after a month or two. You can slow this oxidation process and keep the flavor at its peak by storing it in the refrigerator.
#16 Cake With Frosting: If you have a leftover birthday cake or are baking something for an event, storing it in the fridge is a great way to make sure it doesn't dry out and go stale. Frosted cakes should be stored in the refrigerator with plastic wrap pressed against the cut section to seal in moisture. Uncut and unfrosted cakes should be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap before storage. Though most cakes will be fine on the counter in a cool kitchen for a few days, cakes made with whipped cream or fresh fruit should go straight into the fridge after serving.
#17 Avocados: Buying avocados can sometimes feel like signing up for a babysitting job. There's only a narrow window of time when the fruit is just ripe enough without being mushy. To help solve this problem, place them in the fridge in order to slow the ripening process. Fresh avocados will keep for much longer in the fridge and can be taken out to finish ripening on the counter when you're ready to eat them.
A fridge can help food stay fresh for a longer period of time, did you know there are certain foods that can keep YOU fresh for a long time, too? Yes, they can help slow down aging and make you look younger. Confused?
Get your answers here: Find out about the 18 ANTI-ACNE Foods You Must Eat To Get Rid Of Acne & Scars OR Learn more about 9 TOP Foods You Need To Eat If You're A Woman Between 20-40s. These 2 posts will surely help you slow down the aging process and live a longer, healthier life. Also, don’t forget to like and subscribe to our channel.
How many of the food items that we talked about today are you guilty of keeping outside the fridge? Let us know in the comments section below!