Foods You Should Never Refrigerate

In general, most people tend to put all of their food products in the refrigerator. This is a serious mistake because not all products are made to withstand the cold and the conditions of a refrigerator. On the contrary, sometimes the cold accelerates their decomposition or can change with original flavor.

Reviewed and approved by the nutritionist Eliana Delgado Villanueva.

Written by Daniela Echeverri Castro

Last update: 30 May, 2022

It is true that many products require refrigeration and this can even make them last longer, but as consumers, we also have to know what kinds of foods can get damaged in the refrigerator and lose their properties due to low temperatures. Below, we will give you a list of foods you should never refrigerate for any reason.

List of foods you should never refrigerate

Tomatoes

Tomatoes lose their flavor in the fridge which makes them more bland. Their texture is altered because the cold makes them floury by breaking their interior membranes and the low temperatures stop them from maturing.

Potatoes

Bread

This is one of the foods that people store the most in the fridge and that is a huge mistake. Bread ages quicker at low temperatures and loses its flavor. We recommend putting it a in a cool and dry place or you can also cut it into slices and put it in the freezer to use again later.

Tropical fruit in general

Since these are fruits that grow in hot climates, the low temperature in the refrigerator does not favor them at all. Fruits like pineapple, watermelon, peaches, avocados, bananas, etc. should never be stored in the fridge because this accelerates their decomposition. 

Onion and garlic

When under low temperatures, onion and garlic harden and lose their properties. We recommend keeping them in a dark, cool and dry place, preferably in a cloth bag.

Dry cheeses

It is common to keep cheese in the fridge because people believe that it stays better there. Depending on the type of cheese, the fridge can be an error that can change the flavor and make it more bland.

Dry cheeses like Parmesan don’t require refrigeration because they can lose their flavor. As an alternative, you can use a hermetically sealed container at room temperature.

Melons and peaches

At less than 10 degrees, these lose their flavor and some of their properties. In this case, it is best to keep them at room temperature.

Honey

Keeping honey at low temperatures is a serious mistake. Honey, thanks to its components and pH, has a good state when outside and this is maintained the entire time for consumption. When you keep honey in the fridge, it tends to crystalize and lose a lot of its properties.

Olive oil

When olive oil is in the fridge, it gets condensed and hardens. It takes on the shape of butter and also loses its flavor. It’s best to keep in a cool place and out of the light.

Chocolate

When chocolate is under low temperatures like those in the fridge for a long time, a white layer forms that makes its flavor change. It is best to keep it at room temperature and out of the light. You should also keep this out of high temperatures.

Coffee

When coffee is in the fridge, it undergoes a change similar to that of chocolate. It creates a layer that changes its flavor and it also loses its particular smell. You can find the right way to store coffee in here.

Grains, pasta, flour, and sugar

These types of foods are made to be conserved at room temperature. When they are in low temperatures, they lose their properties, vitamins, flavor and texture.

Special hams

There are different types of ham that lose their “special” flavor that characterize them when you refrigerate them. Despite being similar to cold cuts, you should store them at room temperature.

Basil

We hope you have found this post on foods you should never refrigerate both useful and informative!