10 reasons to BEWARE the fridge

Some of your favourite kitchen staples are better o on the counter — or stored in a cool, dark drawer or pantr . W ile your fruits and ve gies may not get ruined being stored in the fridge, explains Heather MacMullin, the best by date is often shortened,

1

Tomatoes

Why: They lose their flavour and gain a mealy texture. If you already put them in the fridge, allow them to come back up to room temperature (and regain a bit of flavour) before using. Storage tip: Tomatoes are tastiest when kept at room temperature. They continue to ripen o the vine, so it’s best to buy them in manageable quantities if you don’t have immediate plans for them.

Did you know? You can speed the ripening process of tomatoes by storing them in a brown paper bag; it traps the ethylene they emit, allowing them to ripen more quickly. You can also add a ripening banana to help hustle things along.

2

Potatoes

Why: Cold temperatures can turn potato starches into sugars — a ecting their flavour and how they cook.

Storage tip: Buy in bulk if you like — potatoes can keep for weeks when stored in a dark, cool place.

Did you know? Overly warm temperatures cause potatoes to sprout and decay at a faster rate, and exposure to a lot of light can result in unsafe levels of the toxin solanine, which adds a green tinge or green spots to the tuber.

3

Bread

Why: Refrigeration makes your bread go stale faster. It’s called starch retrogradation. Storage tip: Bread boxes and paper bags are best for keeping bread fresh for a few days. Any longer, and it should be tightly wrapped and placed in the freezer until you’re ready to use it.

4

Honey

Why: It has a nearly infinite shelf life. (Thank the bees.) So while you may need to heat it occasionally if it begins to crystallize, it’s perfectly fine to keep honey in the pantry.

Storage tip: Keep honey in a well-sealed container to prevent extra moisture from creeping in, and try to prevent crosscontamination with other foods. It’s only when it’s properly stored that its shelf life is so lengthy. Scattered white crystals and foam on top are a sign of spoilage, via fermentation.

Did you know? Honey bees may collectively travel as many as 50,000 miles and visit about two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just a pound of honey.

5

Bananas

Why: They won’t continue to ripen. So, if you’ve bought a bunch of green bananas, keep them on the counter. Once ripe, you can store them in the fridge or freezer. Storage tip: Ripening will speed up if this fruit is stored at room temperature in a bag. If you want to give yourself time to make it through the bunch, get rid of the bag and keep them separate from ethylene-producing and -sensitive fruits and vegetables.

Did you know? When stored in the fridge, the banana’s yellow skin will turn brown.

6

Peanut butter

Why: Commercially produced brands are shelf-stable because of sugars and preservatives. Natural or organic products are usually refrigerated, as they’re less shelf stable. It also helps lessen the oil separation you get with the natural products.

Storage tip: Try storing jars of natural nut butters upsidedown so oil rises to the bottom of the jar, instead of the top.

Did you know? It takes about 540 peanuts to make a jar of peanut butter.

7

Onions

Why: Like potatoes, the starches in onions will convert to sugars, and they’ll change composition, becoming soft — or soggy! — more quickly. Storage tip: Store in mesh bags, or a ventilated, cool, dry area. Scallions and green onions can go in the fridge, as they have a higher water content.

Did you know? It’s better to store onions separately from your potatoes, as the ethylene potatoes emit will shorten the onion’s shelf life.

8

Olive oil

Why: It will solidify in the fridge. While this doesn’t hurt the oil, you’ll have to wait for it to return to room temperature to use.

Storage tip: Olive oil is best when used within three months of opening. A sealed bottle can last up to a year and a half in a cool, dark place.

Did you know? Olive oil has a low smoke point, so it’s best to avoid using it over high heat.

9

Coffee beans

Why: The beans are porous and will absorb moisture and aromas, e ectively degrading the quality and flavour of the beans. Storage tip: Many feel the beans can be frozen without any ill e ect if kept in a fully airtight container or vacuumsealed bag. But be sure to avoid thawing and re-freezing. Take out only what you need before re-sealing the bag or container and returning it to the freezer. Did you know? Light roasts have slightly higher levels of ca eine compared to dark roasts.

10

Garlic

Why: It won’t last as long if chilled. The moisture in the fridge shortens garlic’s lifespan, and can cause sprouting. Storage tip: Garlic keeps longest when stored in a cool, dry place.

Did you know? Elephant garlic — it has extremely large cloves — is actually related to the leek, and has a mild flavour with a hint of onion.