A health and nutrition expert has explained why four common foods should never be stored in the fridge. Many people want to make things last as long as possible – especially when they’re ingredients which can be used in many dishes.
However Amparo Gamero, professor at the Health Sciences Studies at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), explained in a recent interview which foods you should never store in the fridge – and some are surprising. He said that putting the food to chill can basically ruin it in some cases, changing the taste and texture – or even cause it to go off more quickly.
The foods to watch out for are garlic, bananas, bread and even chocolate – and Prof Gamero explained why. Garlic is growing in popularity due to its health properties – and it’s a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet which has been highlighted by the NHS as one of the best for a long life. Current research shows that garlic may have some real health benefits, such as protection against the common cold and the ability to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Garlic is also known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is a key part of many dishes. Prof Prof Gamero said the best place to store it is a pantry because they can sprout after a few days, making garlic have a more intense bitter taste. He said: “The pantry is usually a good place to store them at an approximate temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, as long as they’re kept away from potatoes since garlic and onions emit gases that can accelerate potato sprouting.”
To preserve them for much longer, they can also be stored in oil by covering peeled garlic cloves in olive oil in a hermetically sealed glass container. You can also freeze them whole or chopped.
Prof Gamero also highlighted bread because storing it in a fridge leads to a ‘loss of quality regarding its texture and flavour’. He said the best way is to store bread at room temperature inside a paper bag wrapped in a clean kitchen cloth. It can also be frozen to keep it fresh longer.
Chocolate suprisingly is also not recommended for storage in the refrigerator because cold is said to affect its smoothness and creaminess. Prof Gamero added that sudden temperature changes alter its texture. He said it is best to keep it in a cool place away from direct light and store it inside its original packaging or an airtight container.
Bananas shouldn’t be stored in the fridge either. Putting them in the fridge too soon can make them hard and tasteless. Finally, coffee shouldn’t be stored there either since both whole bean and ground coffee absorb moisture and lose their aroma and flavour. The best place to store coffee is an airtight container in a cool dry place.