As temperatures soar above the late 20s Celsius, many people instinctively move all their produce into the refrigerator to keep it cool. However, consumer watchdog Which? has identified five common items that should never be stored in the fridge, even during a heatwave, because cold conditions can ruin their flavour, texture, and shelf life.
Cucumbers
According to Which?, “cold conditions can cause the skin to shrivel up and the inside to become soft,” which is far from ideal when preparing a crisp cucumber sandwich. The organisation recommends storing cucumbers “at room temperature” for best results. If a chilled cucumber is desired for a salad, Which? suggests “refrigerating them an hour before prep for a refreshing chill without affecting their texture.”
Tomatoes
Low temperatures can significantly impact both the texture and taste of tomatoes. Which? explains that “chilling tomatoes inhibits the activity of enzymes inside that help give it its flavours.” Therefore, it is much better to keep tomatoes “at room temperature” to preserve their natural taste.
Bananas
Bananas stored in the fridge will “go black,” Which? warns. Instead, the consumer group advises: “Keep bananas somewhere nice and cool to make them last longer.” They also highlight that bananas should be stored separately from other fruits, as they release ethylene gas that can cause other produce to ripen too quickly.
Bread
Refrigerating bread is a major mistake, as it can “dehydrate the loaf, leaving you with stale tasting slices,” according to Which?. Their testing found that “storing bread in a cotton or plastic bag will keep it mostly soft, with just a little dryness around the edges.” Bread is best kept at room temperature or frozen for longer storage.
Onions
Onions should never be placed in the fridge because the “moisture in the fridge will turn them soft and mouldy,” Which? cautions. Instead, store them in a “cool and dry” place. For sliced onions, Which? recommends keeping them “in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer.”
One reader commented, “Curious to know who routinely stores bananas and bread in the fridge?” Others noted that in some regions, “room temperature is literally 30 degrees right now,” making it challenging to find suitable storage. Which? suggests using a cool, dark cupboard away from sunlight as an alternative.
